Sudden Death

Question 1

What is the purpose of a coroner’s inquiry?

Answer 1

To establish that a person has died, the identity of the person, the cause of death and when/where they died.

Question 2

What deaths must be reported to the coroner?

Answer 2

• no known cause, suicide, unnatural or violent death
• no Dr cert has been given
• death during medical, surgical or dental treatment
• death during birth
• death in custody

Question 3

When does a person who finds a body NOT have to report to police?

Answer 3

If it is already known to Police or if it will be reported to the Police.

Question 4

When must police report a death to the coroner?

Answer 4

The death must be reported immediately to the duty coroner.

Question 5

Who is qualified to verify death?

Answer 5

• registered medical practitioner
• nurse
• registered midwife
• intensive care paramedic
• paramedic
• emergency medical technician

Question 6

What may indicate a death is caused by a criminal act?

Answer 6

• no apparent cause
• poisoning but no motive for suicide
• a body in a burned building
• sings of injury that are inconsistent with the accident
• apparent suicide in an unusual position
• defensive injuries
• insecure premises

Question 7

If there are no suspicious circumstances about the death the immediate family can make arrangements to have the body removed if:

Answer 7

The deceased Dr has been located and issued a cert. as to cause of death AND it is not a coroner’s matter.

Question 8

What do you do if the family do NOT allow a body or evidence to be removed?

Answer 8

Remove the body with a search warrant

Seize evidence without warrant (section 20)

Question 9

When seizing evidence in relation to a death, the evidence must be ..

Answer 9

• on or in the immediate vicinity of the body and relevant to the PM of the body
• delivered to the coroner
• notify the family within 5 days of the items that were seized

Question 10

Police’s responsibility to inform immediate family of death

Answer 10

When reporting to the coroner is not required, police must inform the deceased’s immediate family as soon as the deceased’s ID is confirmed.

For estranged families, police should consider notifying all parties.

Question 11

Deaths of prisoners in police custody actions of supervisor are:

Answer 11

1 - immediately freeze the scene and ensure evidence including the charge sheet is preserved
2 - notify CIB, establish and initiate any enquiry
3 - notify the district commander immediately

Question 12

1. What is determined by the Coroner in the Coroners Court?

Answer 12

• that a person has died
• the person ID
• when and where the person died
• the cause of death
• the circumstances of the death
• whether any comments or recommendations should be made to avoid death in similar circumstances