CPK - Sudden Death Flashcards
What is the coroners role?
- Receive POL47
- Decide if PM needed
- Authorise release of body
- Decide if inquiry and inquest needed
What is the purpose of a coroners inquiry?
- Establish a person died and their ID
- Circumstances when and where and cause of death
- Make recommendations
- Is there public interest with investigating the death
What types of death MUST be reported to coroner?
- 1X
- Unknown, Unnatural or violent
- No doc sign off
- Happen during medical, surgical or dental treatment
- Pregnant or giving death
- In custody
- On or from NZ aircrafts or ships
On attending the scene of a sudden death what is the initial action steps that should be taken?
- Ensure safety of everyone, Use PPE and gowns
- Check for life, attempt first aid and call ambo
- Inform NCO
- If 1C call CIB Freeze, guard and preserve scene
- Death verified before moved
- Doc issued certificate of death. If matter reported to Coroner Doc can only issue this if not going to be an inquiry. If Doc issues this coroner does not have to be advised
- Inform family
- Property secured
- DED completed
Who are qualified to issue a verification of death certificate?
- Registered Doc, Nurse or midwife
- Intensive care paramedic, Paramedic
- Emergency medical technician
The deceased should not leave control of the Police until VOD has been completed? True or false?
- True
On examining the body and scene you should always preserve evidence until the cause of death is established. What actions and things should be considered at the scene?
- Consider factors that show a criminal act
- Note the position, condition and 4H the body
- Explore other factors around the scene eg medicine bottles seize all medicines
- Get witness details
- If not 1C get witness FWS ASAP
What are some things to look for if you suspect a criminal act and believe CIB should be informed when at scene of a 1S?
- No clear cause of death
- Poisoning with no motive for 1X
- Found in burnt building
- Injuries not consistent with accident
- 1X but in unusual position
Can a body be taken to a mortuary via a funeral home?
No unless the coroner direct this
If the family does not allow you to remove the body or seize evidence what can you do?
- Remove body with warrant
- Seize evidence without warrant
You should consult coroner and use other means before invoking any powers
What ground can a District Court Judge issue a warrant to remove a body?
- Coroner gave direction to remove
- Is being held against this direction
- Negotiations and other means have failed
Reasonable force can be used
What does evidence mean when it comes to seizing evidence from a scene without a warrant?
- On or in the immediate area of the body
- Relates to the PM
- Given to coroner
- Within 5 days must inform owner
When transferring custody of the deceased to the funeral director what must you do?
- Get POL268 signed in relation to deceased and any property
- VOD must be completed before giving custody over
What steps must be taken if a prisoner dies in Police custody?
- Freeze/control the scene
- Secure evidence eg CCTV, Custody records, offences and arrest
- Inform NCO, CIB and AC/DC
- Determine if forced used, establish nature of inquiry eg Homicide or other
- DC will inform District Professional Conduct Manager
A person who finds a body in NZ must report that finding to Police ASAP unless for what 2 reasons?
- Already known to Police
- Will be reported to Police
