Coroner

A coroner is a judicial officer responsible for investigating certain deaths to establish who the person was, when and where they died, how they died and, where possible, the medical cause of death. In Queensland, coroners operate under the Coroners Act 2003 and are part of the Queensland coronial system.

Not every death goes to a coroner. Most deaths do not require a coronial investigation. A death is generally reported to a coroner when it falls within one of the categories of reportable death defined by Queensland law. These include deaths that are violent or unnatural, suspicious, of unknown cause, health-care related in particular circumstances, or that occur in certain forms of care or custody. Deaths resulting from police operations are also reportable.

The coroner investigates what happened. A coronial investigation is intended to establish the facts surrounding a death. The coroner may investigate the circumstances leading up to the death, obtain information from people and organisations, and arrange medical examinations, autopsy, toxicology or other investigations where necessary.

A coroner does not decide who is guilty. A coronial investigation is not a criminal trial. The role of the coroner is to establish the circumstances and medical cause of death rather than determine criminal or civil liability. Where appropriate, a coroner may make comments or recommendations intended to help prevent similar deaths in the future.

An inquest is not automatic. Not every death investigated by a coroner results in an inquest. Many investigations are finalised administratively once the coroner has enough information to make their findings. An inquest is required for certain categories of death and may also be held when the coroner considers it appropriate or in the public interest.

The person may remain in the care of the coroner. When a death is reportable, the person who has died will generally be transferred to an authorised facility for coronial examination and investigation. In Queensland, government-contracted undertakers provide the conveyancing service for reportable deaths, transferring people from the place of death to an authorised facility.

The funeral cannot proceed in the usual way until the person is released. While a person is under the authority of the coroner, the funeral service provider cannot simply take them into normal funeral care. The coronial investigation must reach the point where the person can be released for funeral arrangements. Depending on the circumstances, this may happen relatively quickly or the investigation may take considerably longer.

A coroner may order an autopsy or other examination. An autopsy is not performed in every coronial case. The coroner determines what examination or investigation is necessary to establish the cause and circumstances of the death. Other examinations, including external examination, imaging or toxicology, may be used depending on the circumstances.

Coroner, Coroners Court and coronial investigation are different terms. The coroner is the person conducting the investigation. The Coroners Court of Queensland is the court and administrative system through which coronial investigations and inquests are conducted. A coronial investigation is the process of investigating the reportable death.

For families, the involvement of a coroner can make the usual funeral process feel very different. There may be police involvement, a transfer to a mortuary, medical examination or autopsy, delays in obtaining the person back into funeral care and additional paperwork. These things are part of the coronial process rather than something the family or funeral service provider can simply choose to bypass.

Coroner

Coroner

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