Sudden Death

Question 1

Section 13-15 of Coroners Act 2006

Answer 1

Sections 13-15 of act identify deaths that must be reported to police and police obligations to then report the death to the National duty coroner via the National initial investigation office (NIIO).

Question 2

Deaths that must be reported to police.

Answer 2

Deaths that take place in NZ or on specified aircraft or ships must be reported to police:
- a death that appears to have no known cause, or self inflicted, or unnatural or violent.
- A death that occurred during or appears to have been a result of a medical procedure that was medically unexpected.
- The death of a women while giving birth or that appears to have been a result of the women being pregnant or giving birth.
- a death in official custody or care.
- a death for which no doctor has given a doctors certificate (doctor not willing to sign off)

police must then report these deaths to the duty coroner via NIIO.

Question 3

National initial investigation office, NIIO. What is their role?

Answer 3

The role of NIIO is:

• manage the cases from the time the death is reported to the duty coroner until the deceased is released to the family.
• engage a supplier to complete the body transportation to the mortuary ( in other words arrange the under taker to collect body)
• keep families informed about what is happening during the coronial process unless the death is suspicious.
• be the conduit and contact centre for the NOK at the conclusion of police attendance.

Question 4

Custody of the body

Answer 4

Once reported National duty coroner has exclusive right to custody of the body. The coroner determines:
- Whether to take coronial jurisdiction over the death
- whether VOD has been adequately established.
- Whether evidence of ID of deceased is sufficient.
- Whether to direct a PM and if so the level of any PM (full PM or lesser PM).
- who may attend at the PM
- When the body can be released.

Once body has been released the coronial investigation is assigned to the Responsible Coroner who carries out all other coronial responsibilities in respect to the death.

Question 5

Attending sudden death

Answer 5

Initial procedure
- Consider first aid
- Carry out a scene examination (control/freeze/preserve)
- VOD can only be done by Ambos (EMT, Paramedic, ICP). Registered midwife, Nurse (Practitioner registered or enrolled). Doctor.
- Cause of death, is the deceased DOC willing to sign a cause of death?
- Confirm ID (Usually done by close relative in presence of police)
- Complete POL 265A Statement of ID (after relative has confirmed who they are).
- Contact Victim Support
- Contact NIIO (mandatory on Duty phone 0800 number)
- Consider MPES
-Consider contacting on call sar re DVI attendance or guidance.
- Provide a copy of booklet “when someone dies”

Is the death suspicious?
- Contact on call CIB
- Things to look for when you suspect a criminal act:
- a death with no apparent cause
- poisoning but no motive for suicide
- a body in a burned building, ship or vehicle.
- Signs of injury consistent with an accident
-An apparent suicide in an unusual position.
- Defensive in juries
- Insecure premises.

Question 6

Hierarchy of ID

Answer 6

1. Visual ID - if identifiable and there is an appropriate person to complete.
2. Fingerprints - Check NIA for AFIS and contact local SOCO to complete (request authorisation from coroner).
3. Odontology - The forensic evaluation of dental evidence.
4. Comparison ID Process - Contact Duty SAR to engage DVI staff for advice about compilation of a comparison report for the coroner.
5. DNA - Request authorisation from the coroner.

Question 7

Visual ID procedure,

Answer 7

1. Take the witness to the body
2. uncover the face and allow them an unhurried look at the deceased.
3. Ask the questions
   “Do you identify this person”
   “Have you any doubt?”
   “What was their address”
   “How long have you known the deceased?”
4. Cover the body.
5. If the witness identifies the body fill out POL 265A and get them to sign it.

Question 8

Non visual ID process

Answer 8

1. Arrange for body to be photographed and fingerprinted (coroners authorisation is required)
2. Investigate if there are dental records. If so arrange for a forensic dental exam (Coroners authorisation is required)
3. Consider building an evidential case for a circumstantial ID to satisfy the coroner.
   - Fingerprints compared to the police system or fingerprints taken from objects known to have been handled by the person while alive.
   - Medical exam including scars, birth marks, prostheses, X Ray, surgical wounds amputations tattoos implants etc
   - Personal effects from full scene exam, bills, phone details, letters, passport, DL , denture records, evidence that the deceased resided at the address.

All info to be detailed in formal written statement producing copy of the said documentation was obtained.

On collation of evidence to support the non visual ID Complete the “Recover/Identification of bodies that are not visually identifiable.” section of the Pol 47.

4. Prepare a full description of the body, clothing and other effects for publication and for comparison with the known identity of any person subsequently nominated through enquires if required.
5. Ensure clothing and other items taken for the body are stored in a manner they wont deteriorate. if body is unidentified take care when moving it so that no possible evidence of the identity is lost.
6. Consider DNA comparison (coroners authorisation is required)