The Coroners Act 2006

Question 0

What types of deaths must be reported to the coroner?

Answer 0

SCUMBIE

• Suicide
• Cause unknown or no Doctors certificate issued
• Unnatural or violent death
• Medical or surgical or dental operation or procedure (includes admission or anesthetic or medicine
• Birth deaths or deaths that appear to be the result of pregnancy or giving birth
• Institutional deaths; that is, deaths in a psychiatric hospital, childrens home or prison, or while in police custody
• Enactment requires the holding of an inquest (Alcoholism and drug addiction act 1966; childrens young persons and the famalies act 1989 + more)

Question 1

What is the coroner?

Answer 1

The coroner is a person specially appointed to enquire into the manner of death of any person where the Coroners Act 2006 requires that the death be reported to him or her.

Question 2

What is section 15 of the coroners act 2006?

Answer 2

Advising the coroner

Police have a duty to report the death immediately to the coroner

Question 3

What is a post-mortem?

Answer 3

Examination of a person’s body to determine the cause of death.
A post-mortem is authorised by the coroner who directs a doctor to perform the examination.

Question 4

What is section 33 of the coroners act 2006?

Answer 4

The coroner has authority over who is present during a post mortem.

Question 5

When must a coroner hold an inquest?

Answer 5

SIC

• Suicide
• Any institutional deaths
• Any death in which the coroner is not satisfied that the cause or circumstances of death have been clearly established.

Question 6

What documents are used for the coroners act 2006?

Answer 6

The fact that a person has died
- Deceased person certificate

The identity of the deceased
- Deceased persons identification form

The cause of death
- Pathologist’s report

Where and when the death occured
- Police 47 (report to coroner)

The circumstances of the death

• Statements
• Job sheets
• Depositions