Sudden Death Flashcards
What deaths must be reported to a coroner
Death without a known cause, suicide, unnatural, violent, no doctor’s certificate, during medical/surgical/dental treatment, during giving birth/resulted from their pregnancy, while in official custody/care
Who are the NIIO
The National Initial Investigation Office. All coronial deaths are to be reported to this office.
Who is qualified to verify a death?
Registered Medical Practitioner, Nurse, Registered Midwife, Intensive Care Paramedic, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician.
What needs to be done when a doctor issues a HP4720?
Coroner does not need to be contacted, advise immediate family and secure the deceased property if required. Maintain control of the deceased’s body until undertaker has taken the body away
Section 20 of Coroner’s Act
A coroner may give any directions the coroner thinks fit about removal of the body
Powers when family do not allow you to remove the body or seize the evidence relevant to the death
Remove the body (with warrant) and seize evidence (without warrant)
Section 128 of Coroner’s Act
You can apply for a warrant to a judge to remove a body if; a coroner has given directions under section 20, RGTB the body is being held against this order from the coroner AND there are no other ways to gain the body from the family
Section 129 of Coroner’s Act
When executing the warrant, you may use reasonable force to enter and search a place to remove the body/prevent its removal
Warrantless power to seize evidence relating to the death
If complying with orders under section 20 and executing a warrant for the removal of a body under section 128
How many days until the owner/occupier of the place which the body was removed has to be notified of what was taken?
Within 5 working days
Section 23 of Coroner’s Act
Coroner to notify person’s of post-mortem, inquiry and inquest
