Sudden Death Flashcards
What is the overarching purpose of the Coroner’s Act?
To prevent avoidable deaths
What two key roles does the Coroner operate in?
- National Duty Coroner
- Responsible Coroner
What does NIIO stand for?
National Initial Investigation Office
Which deaths must be reported to police? (6)
Deaths:
- without known cause or self inflicted
- during or as a result of a medical procedure
- medically unexplained
- of a woman during childbirth or as a result of pregnancy
- while in custody or care
- for which no doctors certificate has been issued
Who can verify death? (6)
- Nurse
- Registered medical practitioner
- Registered midwife
- Intensive care paramedic
- Paramedic
- Emergency Medical Technician
What are the 5 steps in the hierarchy of identification?
- Visual ID
- Fingerprints
- Odontology
- Comparison Identification Process
- DNA
How soon must police report a death under section 14 to the duty Coroner?
Immediately
What is NIIO’s role? (4)
- manage cases from time of reported death until deceased is returned to the family
- engage a ‘supplier’ to complete body transport to the mortuary
- keep the family informed through the early stages of the coronial process (except when suspicious death)
- be the conduit and contact centre for next of kin after police attendance
What is NIIO’s role? (4)
- manage cases from time of reported death until deceased is returned to the family
- engage a ‘supplier’ to complete body transport to the mortuary
- keep the family informed through the early stages of the coronial process (except when suspicious death)
- be the conduit and contact centre for next of kin after police attendance
Once reported, who has exclusive rights to custody of the body?
The national duty coroner
What does the Coroner determine? (6)
- whether to take jurisdiction over the death
- whether verification if death has been adequately established
- whether evidence of ID of deceased is adequate
- whether to direct a post mortem and if so full or lesser post mortem
- when the body can be released
What 3 pathways are available to the responsible Coroner to conclude a coronial investigation?
- conclude without opening an inquiry
- open and investigate an inquiry but conclude the inquiry without proceeding to a court hearing
- open and conduct an inquiry and as part thereof conduct a formal hearing in the coroner’s court (inquest)
The deceased can not leave police control and a sudden death file can not be submitted without what document being completed first?
A verification of death
