When is the coroner involved?

There does not have to be anything suspicious about a death for the coroner to be involved. If the doctor is unable to certify the death, the police will be contacted, who will then contact coronial staff.

A death must be referred to the coroner for investigation when:

• the cause of death is unknown
• the person died unexpectedly
• the person died from an accident or injury
• the person died in a violent or unnatural way
• the person died during or as a result of an anaesthetic or within 24 hours of the anaesthetic
• the person died in an institution, a prison or police custody
• the person suffering from mental illness or intellectual impairment died whilst accommodated in an institution
• the identity of the person who has died is not known.