Sudden Death Flashcards
Who decides whether to direct a post-mortem?
The coroner
Who decides who should attend a post-mortem?
The coroner
Who authorises the release of the body and decides whether to open an inquiry and hold an inquest.
The coroner
If a foreign National dies in NZ, what are Police’s duties?
Police act on behalf of the coroner to investigate the sudden or unexplained deaths, or deaths in special circumstances (foreign nationals)
What is the purpose of the Coroners Act 2006 is
To help to prevent deaths and to promote justice through:
- investigations and
- the making of recommendations or comments that, if drawn to public attention, may reduce the chances of further deaths occurring in circumstances similar to those in which the deaths occurred.
What is the coroner’s role in relation to a death?
- receive a report of the death from Police
- decide whether to direct a post mortem and if one is directed whether to authorise certain people (other than the pathologist) to attend
- be satisfied with the evidence supporting the identification of the deceased
- authorise the release of the body
- decide whether to open an inquiry and if one is to be conducted whether an inquest should be held (s41(1))
These deaths must be reported to Police and in turn by Police to a coroner, if they occur in New Zealand or on specified aircraft or ships:
- a death without known cause, or suicide, or unnatural or violent
- a death that occurred during medical, surgical or dental treatment,
- any death as a result of a woman being pregnant or giving birth
- a death in official custody or care
- a death for which no doctor has given a doctor’s certificate
If a Police Officer finds or receives a report of a death, who must they immediately report this to?
The duty coroner
How do Police contact the coroner to report a death?
Via a centralised Ministry of Justice office, known as the National Initial Investigation Office (NIIO). This office operates on a 24 hours 7 day a week basis.
What is the role of the NIIO?
- manage the cases from the time the death until the deceased is released to family
- keep the families informed (except where the death is considered suspicious)
- be the conduit and contact centre for the next of kin at the conclusion of Police attendance
Who has exclusive rights to a body?
Once a death has been reported, the National Duty Coroner
What does the National Duty Coroner need to determine?
- whether coronial jurisdiction will be taken over the death
- direct the contracted transport provider to attend the scene
- whether verification has been adequately established
- whether identification of the deceased is adequate
- whether to direct a post-mortem & the level, who may attend & when the body can be released
Once the Responsible Coroner has investigated a death, they have three pathways they can recommend?
Conclude no enquiry is required
Conduct an inquiry without proceeding to a formal court hearing
conduct a formal hearing in the Coroners Court called an Inquest.
When attending a sudden death and it appears suspicious, self-inflicted or involves a child under two contact what should you do?
Contact the duty/on call CIB member and your supervisor.
Freeze, guard and preserve the scene until CIB arrive.
Who completes a Verification of Death (VOD) Declaration?
A duly qualified person should verify that life is extinct recorded on a VOD form before the body is moved.
When this is not possible, Police must maintain control of the body until this VOD is obtained.
