The coroner is an independent judicial officer in
What does the Coroner do?
The coroner inquire into deaths reported to them by Doctors and the Police,
which appear to be violent, unnatural, sudden or unknown cause. (in some cases it may just be that the deceased has not see the doctor within the last 14 days)
The coroner will seek to establish the medical cause of death; if the cause remains in doubt after a post mortem, an inquest will be held.
What is the role of the Coroners Officer?
Coroners Officers, who may be police officers, work under the direction of coroners and liaise with bereaved families, police, doctors and funeral directors.
Are all deaths reported to the Coroner?
No. In most cases, a GP or hospital doctor can issue a Medical Certificate of the cause of death and the death can be registered by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, who will issue the Death Certificate in the usual way. However, Registrars, Doctors or the Police will report deaths to the coroner in certain circumstances. For example: if a doctor cannot give a proper Certificate of a Cause of Death; if the death occurred during an operation; if the death was due to industrial disease; or if the death was unnatural or due to violence, or in other suspicious circumstances.
What is a Post Mortem examination?
A post mortem is a medical examination of a body carried out for the coroner by a pathologist. The consent of the next – of – kin is not required for a coroners post mortem, but the
next – of – kin are entitled to be represented at the examination by a doctor of their choice.
Post Mortem Report
This report gives details of the examination of the body. It may also give details of any laboratory tests which have been carried out. Copies of the report will normally be available to the next – of – kin and to certain other relatives. A fee may be payable.
Medical Records
Medical records remain confidential after death. Coroners are entitled to request medical information that is relevant and necessary to their enquiries.
When can the funeral be held?
If a post mortem revels that the death was due to natural causes and that an inquest is not needed, the coroner will release the body, the funeral may then take place.
If there is to be an inquest, the coroner can normally issue a burial order or cremation certificate after the post mortem is completed.
If charges have been brought against somebody for causing the death, it may be necessary to have a second post mortem or further investigations, and the release of the body and the funeral arrangements will be delayed.
Issue of the Death Certificate
If the death was due to natural causes, the coroner will inform the registrar and the death can be registered and a Death Certificate issued. But, if there is to be an inquest, an Interim Certificate of Fact of Death can be issued by the coroner to assist in the administration of the estate. When the inquest is completed, the coroner will notify the registrar. A Death Certificate can then be obtained.
Please note: If you are issued with an Interim Certificate of Death, you need to take care of it, as you will be unable to obtain another in the event of loss.
What is an inquest?
An inquest is an inquiry into who has died and how, when and where the death occurred. An inquest is not a trial; the coroner must not blame anyone for the death.
An inquest is usually opened primarily to record that a death has occurred and to identify the dead person. It will then be adjourned until any police enquiries and the coroners investigations are completed. The full inquest can then be resumed.
Attendance at an inquest
When the coroners investigations are complete, a date for the resumed inquest is set and the people entitled to attend will be notified, if their details are known to the coroner. Inquests are open to the public and journalists are usually present.
Witnesses called to give evidence
The coroners decide who should give evidence as a witness. Anyone who believes they may be of help, can offer to give evidence by informing the coroner.
Anyone who believes a particular witness should be called, should also inform the coroner.
Questioning of witnesses
Witnesses will first be questioned by the coroner and there may be further questions by "properly interested persons", or their legal representatives. Questions must be relevant to the purpose of the inquest.
Persons with a "proper interest" include:
Inquests with a jury
The inquest will be held with a jury if the death occurs in prison, in custody, at work or if further deaths may occur in similar circumstances. In these cases, the coroner decides matters of law and the jury decides the verdict.
Inquest verdicts
Inquests do not determine blame and the verdict must not identify someone as having criminal or civil liability. Possible verdicts include; natural causes, accident, suicide, unlawful or lawful killing, industrial disease, and open verdicts (where there is insufficient evidence for any other verdict). The coroner may also report the death to any appropriate person or authority, if action is needed to prevent more deaths in similar circumstances.
Criminal proceedings
If a charge is to be heard in the