Sudden Death & Coroner

Question 1

When must there be an coroners inquest into a death?

Answer 1

• Suicide
• A death in custody
• When the Coroner is not satisfied that the cause of death, identity or the circumstances of the death are adequately established.

Question 2

Under Section 13 of the Coroners Act 2006, what acronym sums up which deaths need to be reported?

Answer 2

SCUMBIE
S-Suicide
C-Cause unknown or no Dr. Certificate
U-Unnatural or violent death
M-Medically unexpected while under anaesthetic or result of medical procedure.
B-Birth/apparently caused by pregnancy or child birth
I-Institutional, while in custody or care
E-Enactment requiring the holding of an inquest.

Question 3

What are the main purposes of Section 57 of the Coroners Act 2006?

Answer 3

1. To establish as much a possible (person his died, identity, cause of death etc)
2. To make recommendations or comments that, in the coroners opinion may decrease the likelihood of death in similar circumstances.
3. To determine whether the public interest is served by requesting that other authorities investigate the death to them if they are satisfied that it is.

Question 4

How soon do police need to report to the coroner?

Answer 4

Police must report the death to the Coroner immediately.

To do this, you call the National Initial Investigation Office. NIIO.

Question 5

What reasons would an INQUEST be held?

Answer 5

Cause of death — Pathologist
I.D. — Police
Circumstances — Police
When are where death occurred — Police
Fact that the person has died — Doctor