Sudden Death

Question 1

Police Report Form (POL 258)

Answer 1

Administrative and Enquiry Reports. The Police Report Form (POL 258) is an all purpose form for:

• reporting administrative matters
• adding details to a police file
• summarising the contents of a file

Question 2

Property Record Sheet (POL 268)

Answer 2

Seized Property Report. This form is used for property:

• seized with warrant
• seized without warrant
• seized as a possible exhibit
• in safe keeping
• of deceased people

Question 3

Initial Report for Coroner (POL 47 or POL 47A)

Answer 3

POL 47:
The report is a summary, covering all the details and circumstances surrounding the death.

This is a quadruplicate form. One copy goes to each of the following:

• the coroner
• the pathologist
• ACC
• the police file

POL 47A:
This form is similar in appearance to the POL 47, however it is to be used in the case of sudden unexplained death in infancy.

Question 4

Deceased Person Certificate (POL 265)

Answer 4

It is a document stating that the deceased person is dead. It is signed by a registered medical practitioner or duly qualified and registered paramedic.

Question 5

Deceased Person Identification Form (POL 265A)

Answer 5

If there is no certificate as to the cause of death, the body had to be formally identified. This is arranged by police, who request a close relative or friend to make the identification. A Deceased Person Identification Form (POL 265A) is taken from the identifying witness.