Sudden Death Flashcards
What is the overarching purpose of the coroners Act 2006?
Is to help prevent avoidable deaths?
What is the job of a coroner to determine?
- person has died
- their identity
- when and where they died
- cause of death
- circumstances of the death
- whether any comments or recommendations should be made to reduce the chance of death occurring in similar circumstances again
What is the police’s role in acting as the coroner agent?
Investigating the death and gathering evidence to enable a coroner to make determinations under the act
When police attend the scene of a death (on behalf of coroner) what roles do they undertake?
Scene examination
Identification of deceased
Investigate circumstances which includes interviewing witnesses
What deaths must be reported to police in new Zealand? (includes on aircraft and ships)
A death that appears to have been
- without known cause
- self inflicted
- unnatural
- violent
- during medical procedure (unexpected death from)
- death of woman during childbirth ( appears to be result of giving birth/being pregnant)
- in official custody or care
- no doctors certificate
What does NIIO stand for?
National initial investigation Office
What is the role of the NIIO?
Manage cases until body returned to family
Engage a supplier to transport body to mortuary
Keep families informed in early stages of coronial process (unless suspicious)
Be the conduit and contact centre for the next of kin at conclusion of police attendance
Once the death is reported to the coroner who has exclusive right to custody of the body?
The National duty coroner
When the national duty coroner has a death reported to them they determine what?
Whether to take coronial jurisdiction over the death
Whether verification of death has been adequately established
Whether evidence of the ID is adequate
Whether to direct a PM and at what level (full or lesser PM)
Who can attend the PM
When the body can be released
What are the 3 pathways a death can be concluded by the coroner?
No inquiry opened
Inquiry with no formal hearing
Inquiry and inquest.
Who can verify a death?
Registered medical practitioner
Nurse (practitioner, registered or enrolled)
Registered midwife
Intensive care paramedic
Paramedic
Emergency medical technician
What should you do then look for If a death is suspicious?
Call CIB
Look for - death with no apparent cause
- poisoning with no motive for suicide
- body in burned building vehicle or ship
- signs of injury consistent with accident
- apparent suicide in an unusual position
- defensive injuries
- insecure premises
What is a VOD ?
Verification of death
What has to be completed before the body can leave police control?
A VOD
What should you do if approached by media for comment on a death?
Seek advice from media team and consult the coroner if police want to make a media comment
