Sudden Deaths Flashcards
When will coroner direct post mortem?
Usually when not seen by Dr in 28 days
What 3 types of death do police investigate solely for benefit of coroner?
FRTC- where deceased was driver and no likelihood of prose
Unexplained deaths where no suspicion of a criminal act
Suicide where no suspicion of involvement of another party
When should FMO be tasked to a sudden death?
When it is suspicious or unexplained
Who attends PM?
If NOT unexplained or suspicious then any uniform officer
If unexplained or suspicious then DC from CID or MIT
Who can take body when PM is directed?
Only the mortuary undertakers and only to a forensic mortuary.
Must be accompanied by police after put in body bag and identified to pathologist by officer
Must have mortuary admission sheet with them
Who can take body when no PM required?
Family undertaker
What are forms for sudden death?
Form 19 is police report and needed for all
SD1 is suicide
P1 is when PM is directed
What if death is considered unexplained but during Pm becomes apparent it is suspicious?
PM to be suspended.
Senior SIO to be informed
Photography,CSI ETC To be contacted before pm can be resumed
Who tells family about tissue retention?
Coroners office
Where there is FLO they should ensure understanding
Who has authority to retain human tissue and why is it necessary?
Pathologist on behalf of coroner
Taken for coroner
To assist in ID and to determine cause of death
Coroners Act 1959
Taken for police
As above plus for evidence when a crime is suspected
Article 21 PACE and retained under article 24 PACE
Who will decide if human tissue can be disposed of? When etc
Reviewed every 3 mths
When items are no longer required for police investigation then coroner needs to be informed
They will usually invoke coronial powers and keep it
If not needed for police and coroner no longer wants it then
A)should be established what NOK said they wanted done with it or if no previous request then FLO needs to go and find out
B)response from coroner plus form P5 from NOK goes to State Pathologists dept and they dispose of it accordingly ie repatriation,cremation,dignified disposal
