FFuurrtthheerr aaddvviiccee mmaayy bbee oobbttaaiinneedd ffrroomm::

MMaayyoo SSoouutthh CCoorroonneerr’’ss OOffffiiccee,,BBrriiddggee SSttrreeeett,,BBaallllyyhhaauunniiss,,CCoo.. MMaayyoo..

TTeell:: 009944 -- 996633 00001111FFaaxx:: 009944 -- 996633 00557755EEmmaaiill:: ccoorroonneerr@@ccooccoodd..ccoommWWeebbssiittee:: wwwwww..mmaayyooccooccoo..iiee

TTHHEE RROOLLEE

OOFF TTHHEE

CCOORROONNEERR

IINN

DDEEAATTHH

IINNVVEESSTTIIGGAATTIIOONN

This booklet describes the functions of

the Coroner with particular reference

to procedure in the Coroner’s District

of Mayo South.

It is intended as a guide for the benefit

of the public and interested parties.

The booklet outlines procedures and

contains information for the benefit of

the next-of-kin, Doctors and others who

come into contact with the

Coroner’s service.

Further information is available from

the Coroner’s Office.

Coroner’s Office:Bridge Street, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo.

2nd Edition 2007

CCoonntteennttss

Death Certification and Death Investigation

Page1 Who is the Coroner? 22 What is the role of the Coroner in

natural death? 23 Who has responsibility to report a death

to the Coroner? 34 What deaths must be reported to the

Coroner? 35 What happens when a death is reported? 56 Why are the Garda Síochána involved? 67 Identification of the body. 68 The postmortem examination. 79 When is an organ retained? 810 When may funeral arrangements be made? 911 When is a body released? 1012 How is a death registered? 1013 The Death Notification Form 11

The Inquest

14 What is an inquest? 1315 Can funeral arrangements be made

before an inquest is held? 1416 When is a jury necessary at an inquest? 1417 Who gives evidence at an inquest? 1518 Who can ask questions at an inquest? 1519 Can the report of an inquest be obtained? 1620 Will the inquest be reported in the

newspapers? 1721 What is the role of the Coroner in relation

to organ transplantation? 1722 What is the role of the Coroner where

a body is to be removed out of Ireland? 1823 What is the role of the Coroner where

a body is returned to Ireland? 18

Appendix A:List of deaths which must be reported to the Coroner. 19

Appendix B:Sample Form (Organ Retention) 23

1

DDeeaatthh CCeerrttiiffiiccaattiioonn aanndd DDeeaatthh IInnvveessttiiggaattiioonn

11 WWhhoo iiss tthhee CCoorroonneerr ?

The Coroner is an independent office holderwith responsibility under the law for themedicolegal investigation of certain deaths.A Coroner must inquire into thecircumstances of sudden, unexplained,violent and unnatural deaths. This mayrequire a postmortem examination,sometimes followed by an inquest. TheCoroner’s inquiry will establish whetherdeath was due to natural or unnatural orunexpected causes. If a death is due tounnatural causes then an inquest must beheld by law.

22 WWhhaatt iiss tthhee rroollee ooff tthheeCCoorroonneerr iinn nnaattuurraall ddeeaatthh ?

The Coroner may not be involved where aperson died from some natural illness ordisease for which he/she was treated by aDoctor within one month prior to death. Insuch cases the Doctor will issue the MedicalCertificate of the Cause of Death, and thedeath will be registered accordingly. Inthese cases the Coroner is not usuallyinvolved except where there are additionalconcerns in relation to the circumstances ofdeath or where death occurred in prison.

However where a death occurs suddenlyor unexpectedly or from a cause which isunknown or unclear or unnatural, theCoroner must be informed.

2

33 WWhhoo hhaass rreessppoonnssiibbiilliittyy ttoorreeppoorrtt aa ddeeaatthh ttoo tthhee CCoorroonneerr ?

In a case of sudden, unnatural, or violentdeath, there is a legal responsibility onthe Doctor, Registrar of Deaths, FuneralUndertaker, householder, Garda and everyperson in charge of any institution orpremises in which the deceased person wasresiding at the time of death to inform theCoroner. The death may be reported to aSergeant of the Garda Síochána who willnotify the Coroner. However, any personmay notify the Coroner of the circumstancesof a particular death.

44 WWhhaatt ddeeaatthhss mmuusstt bbee rreeppoorrtteeddttoo tthhee CCoorroonneerr ?

Deaths reportable to the Coroner include thefollowing:

a) Deaths occurring at home or other placeof residence:

n where the deceased was not attended by aDoctor during the last illness;

n where the deceased was not seen andtreated by a Doctor within one monthprior to the date of death;

n where death was sudden or unexpected;n where death may have resulted from an

accident, suicide or homicide;n where the cause of death is unknown or

uncertain;n where concerns are expressed by any

person in relation to a death;n deaths occurring in nursing homes or

places of care of the elderly.

b) Deaths occurring in hospital:n where death may have resulted from an

accident, suicide or homicide;

3

n where deaths result from MRSA or otheracquired infections;

n where any question of negligence ormisadventure arises in relation to thetreatment of the deceased;

n where a patient dies before a diagnosis ismade and the hospital is unable to certifythe cause;

n when the death occurred while a patientwas undergoing an operation or underanaesthesia;

n where death occurred during or as a resultof any procedure;

n where death resulted from an industrialdisease;

n where death was due to neglect or lack ofcare (including self neglect);

n where death occurred in a Mental Hospital.

c) A death is reported by a member of theGarda Síochána:

n where death may have resulted from an accident, suicide or homicide;

n where death occurred in suspicious circumstances;

n where death is unexpected or unexplained;

n where a dead body is found;n where there is no Doctor who can

certify the cause of death.

d) A death is reported by the Governor of aprison:

n immediately following the death of a prisoner.

e) Other categories of reportable death include:n sudden infant deaths;n certain stillbirths;n death of a child in care;n where a body is to be removed out

of Ireland;n where human bones are found.

N.B. A detailed list of reportable deathsis given at Appendix A, page 19.

4

5

If in doubt as to whether a death isproperly reportable please consult withthe Coroner or his staff who will adviseaccordingly. The fact that a death isreported to the Coroner does not meanthat an autopsy will always be required.

Coroner’s Office:Bridge Street,Ballyhaunis,Co. Mayo.

Office hours: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Tel: 094 - 963 0011Fax: 094 - 963 0575Email: coroner@cocod.comWebsite: www.mayococo.ie

The Coroner is available for consultationoutside office hours, however, except whenthe matter is urgent, cases will normally bereported between 8.00 a.m. and 11.00 p.m.

55 WWhhaatt hhaappppeennss wwhheenn aa ddeeaatthh iiss rreeppoorrtteedd ?

Where death occurred suddenly orunexpectedly the Coroner will makeenquiries to ascertain if there is a Doctorwho is in a position to certify the cause ofdeath. The Doctor must have seen andtreated the person within a month priorto death, the cause of death must beknown and the death must be due tonatural causes and be expected. If theseconditions are satisfied and there are noother matters requiring investigation, theCoroner will permit the Doctor to complete aMedical Certificate of the Cause of Death,and the death will be registered accordingly.

Where a Medical Certificate of the Causeof Death is not available the Coroner will

arrange for a postmortem examination ofthe body. If the postmortem examinationshows that death was due to natural causes,and there is no need for an inquest, aCoroner’s Certificate will be issued to theRegistrar of Births and Deaths who will thenregister the death and issue the DeathCertificate. (See note 12)

If death is due to unnatural causes aninquest must be held. The death will beregistered by means of a Coroner’sCertificate when the inquest is concluded(or adjourned in some cases).

Prior to the inquest (or whilst awaitingthe postmortem report) the Coroner’soffice will provide an Interim Certificateof the Fact of Death which may beacceptable to banks, insurance companiesand other institutions.

66 WWhhyy aarree tthhee GGaarrddaa SSííoocchháánnaaiinnvvoollvveedd ?

The Garda Síochána will assist the Coroner inarranging a formal identification of the bodyby a member of the family or a relative of thedeceased. The Gardaí will send to theCoroner a report on the circumstances ofdeath. The fact that relatives may be met atthe hospital by a uniformed Garda or that aGarda may call to their home to take astatement does not mean that the death isregarded as suspicious. Members of theGardaí will in most cases be acting also asCoroner’s Officers.

77 IIddeennttiiffiiccaattiioonn ooff tthhee bbooddyy

Where a Coroner inquires into thecircumstances of a sudden or unnatural death,formal identification of the deceased person by

6

7

a spouse or next-of-kin will be required. Amember of the Garda Síochána will act for theCoroner in such cases. The family member willbe required to go to the mortuary and identifythe body to a Garda (who in turn will identifyto the Pathologist or Technician).

Before viewing, the Pathology Technician willadvise the family on the condition of the body.Where there are multiple injuries or markedpostmortem changes, identification may beconfirmed by a photograph or by other means.In such cases family members will not berequired to view the body.

88 TThhee PPoossttmmoorrtteemm EExxaammiinnaattiioonn

The postmortem examination (autopsy) is aprocedure to establish or clarify the cause ofdeath. All body cavities (head, chest andabdomen) are examined and the organsdissected. Small blocks of tissue and bloodsamples may be retained for furtherexamination. Occasionally it is necessary toretain a whole organ (or organs) for moredetailed examination in order to establishthe cause of death.

It should be emphasised that in the majority ofcases no organs are retained. Where an organis retained the family will be informed. (See note 9 and Appendix B)

All stages of the postmortem examination willbe carried out in a professional manner. Thereis no disfigurement of the body which may beviewed afterwards, and in the same manner, asif no postmortem had been performed.

8

N.B. It will be several weeks before thepostmortem report is received from thePathologist. If a toxicology (drug) screen isrequired it may be several months beforethe postmortem report is completed.Queries relating to postmortem reportsshould be made to the Coroner’s Office andnot to the hospital concerned.

A death cannot be registered until thepostmortem report is received at theCoroner’s Office.

Prior to inquest (or whilst awaiting thepostmortem report) the Coroner will provideon request an Interim Certificate of theFact of Death. (See note 5)

99 WWhheenn iiss aann oorrggaann rreettaaiinneedd ?

Occasionally it is necessary to retain anorgan (or organs) for detailed examination.An organ may be retained after a Coroner’sautopsy only for the purpose of establishingthe cause of death. Where furtherexamination of an organ is necessary todetermine the cause of death it must beretained. The consent of the spouse or next-of-kin is not required for such retention, butthe family will be informed and will berequested to express their preference forultimate disposal/burial of the organ(s). (See note 8 and Appendix B, page 23)

Retention of an organ for any other purposeby a hospital or Pathologist (e.g. for teaching,research or therapeutic purposes) requiresspecific written consent from the spouse ornext-of-kin in such cases.

9

N.B. Doctors should not seek consent fromthe next-of-kin for autopsy where thecause of death is unknown. Such casesmust be discussed with the Coroner.Where an autopsy is (or will be) directed bythe Coroner in relation to an unnaturaldeath, consent is not required and mustnot be sought. Doctors should understandthat the Organ Retention Form (seeAppendix B) is not a consent form forautopsy. The Organ Retention Form isrequired to establish the wishes of a spouseor next-of-kin in regard to ultimate disposalof a retained organ after a Coroner’sautopsy. This should be carefully distinguished fromany consent for a clinical (‘house’) oracademic autopsy in a non-Coroner’s case.

1100 WWhheenn mmaayy ffuunneerraall aarrrraannggeemmeennttss bbee mmaaddee ?

Where a death is reported to the Coroner,funeral arrangements should not be madeuntil the body is released or the Coronerhas indicated when release will occur.This is important at all times, but particularlyso at bank holiday weekends. Cremationcannot take place until the appropriateCoroner’s Certificate is issued.

Where death occurs in a house or nursinghome, funeral directors should not removethe body to a funeral parlour withoutestablishing that a Medical Certificate ofthe Cause of Death is available. This maynecessitate speaking directly to the Doctoror Coroner’s Office as appropriate. Deathshould have been pronounced by aregistered medical practitioner.

10

1111 WWhheenn iiss aa bbooddyy rreelleeaasseedd ?

The body will normally be released to thespouse or next-of-kin immediately after thepostmortem examination has been completed(irrespective of whether or not an inquest isto take place). (See note 10) In homicidecases a body may not be released from MayoGeneral Hospital for up to five days.

N.B. In these cases funeral directors shouldcontact the Coroner’s Office or mortuarybefore funeral arrangements are made.

1122 HHooww iiss aa ddeeaatthh rreeggiisstteerreedd ?

If a person dies in hospital or any otherinstitution, the Death Notification Form isforwarded to the next-of-kin (where thehospital have already completed Part 1 beingMedical Certificate of Cause of Death, thenext-of-kin must complete Part 2 in full andbring to any Registration Office. Onattendance the next-of-kin must have thecompleted Death Notification Form and theirown photographic identification.

In the case of a Coroner’s Certificate, theseare forwarded by the Coroner to theRegistration Office and are registered by theoffice staff.

In the case of deaths occurring at home, theDeath Notification Form is collected fromthe deceased’s doctor (where the Doctor hasalready completed Part 1 of the Form beingMedical Certificate of Cause of Death), part 2of Form is completed in full by next-of-kinand brought to the Registration Office.Next-of-kin must produce photographicidentification.

The following information from next-of-kinis also required for Part 2 of the DeathNotification Form to enable the death to beregistered.

n Forename, surname and address ofdeceased

n Birth surname of deceasedn Date and Place of Death of deceasedn Date and Place of Birth of deceasedn PPS Number of deceasedn Marital status of deceased:

(Never Married, Married-Separated,Widowed, Divorced)

n Occupation of deceasedn Occupation of Spouse if married or

widowedn If under 18 years:

the Occupation of Parent/Guardian 1the Occupation of Parent/Guardian 2

n Forename and birth surname of fatherof deceased

n Forename and birth surname of motherof deceased.

1133 TThhee DDeeaatthh NNoottiiffiiccaattiioonn FFoorrmm

The Medical Certificate is completed by aDoctor who has seen and treated thedeceased person within one month priorto the date of death. The Doctor mustknow the cause of death which must be due tonatural illness or disease. No unnaturalcause of death may be certified by aDoctor. All unnatural deaths must bereported to the Coroner and only theCoroner may certify an unnatural cause ofdeath. Where a Doctor is uncertain that adeath is natural he/she must discuss thecase with the Coroner.

11

The form of the Medical Certificate is as follows:

CAUSE OF DEATH

I. I.

Disease or condition (a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

directly leading to death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

due to (or as a consequence of)

Antecedent causes (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .

due to (or as a consequence of)

(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ..

II. II.

Other significant conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . ..

N.B. No unnatural cause of deathshould appear on the certificate. AMedical Certificate which refers to anyunnatural cause of death will be rejectedby the Registrar and the case will bereferred to the Coroner. Such latereferral will cause difficulties for allconcerned.

Information on registration may be obtained from:

Superintendents Registrar’s Office,New Antrim Street,Castlebar,Co. Mayo.

Tel/Fax: 094 - 902 3249

Hours: Monday to Friday10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

12

13

TThhee IInnqquueesstt

1144 WWhhaatt iiss aann iinnqquueesstt ?

An inquest is an inquiry held in public by aCoroner, sitting with or without a jury intothe circumstances surrounding a death. Aninquest must be held by law when death is(or may be) due to unnatural causes. Theinquest will establish the identity of thedeceased, and when, where and how deathoccurred and the particulars required fordeath registration. Questions of civil orcriminal liability cannot be considered orinvestigated at an inquest and no personcan be exonerated. The purpose of theinquest is to establish the facts surroundingthe death and to place those facts on thepublic record and to make findings on theidentification of the deceased, the date andplace of death and the cause of death. Averdict will be returned in relation to themeans by which death occurred. The rangeof verdicts open to a Coroner or jury includeaccidental death, misadventure, suicide,open verdict, natural causes (if so found atinquest) and in certain circumstances,unlawful killing.

A general recommendation (rider) designedto prevent a similar death occurring may bemade by the Coroner or jury.

The family will be informed of the date andplace of the inquest. The Coroner will decideon the witnesses to be called, however iffamily members have information which maybe helpful at inquest they should communicatethis to the Coroner (or Garda) as soon aspossible after a death.

1155 CCaann ffuunneerraall aarrrraannggeemmeennttss bbeemmaaddee bbeeffoorree aann iinnqquueesstt iiss hheelldd ?

Where an inquest is to be held, the Coroneris usually able to allow burial or cremationonce the postmortem examination of thebody has been completed. (See note 10)Certain documents will be issued by theCoroner where a body is to be cremated orremoved out of the country. (See note 22)

1166 WWhheenn iiss aa jjuurryy nneecceessssaarryy aatt aann iinnqquueesstt ?

A jury is required in the following circumstances:

n where death may be due to homicide (or a suspicious death);

n where death occurred in prison;n where death was caused by accident,

poisoning or disease requiring notification to be given to a governmentdepartment or inspector;

n where death resulted from a road trafficaccident;

n where death occurred in circumstanceswhich may be prejudicial to the health orsafety of the public;

n where the Coroner considers it desirableto hold the inquest with a jury.

Where an inquest is held with a jury, it is themembers of the jury (not the Coroner) whoreturn the findings and verdict together withany rider or recommendation.

14

15

1177 WWhhoo ggiivveess eevviiddeennccee aatt aanniinnqquueesstt ?

The Coroner will decide on the witnesses toattend and in what order they will giveevidence. The evidence will be presented ina manner so as to provide a logical sequencein relation to the circumstances surroundingthe death. The postmortem report willestablish the medical cause of death. Somefamily members may prefer not to heardetails of the postmortem examination. TheCoroner will indicate when the report is tobe taken, so that such persons may withdrawand return later during the inquest. Anyperson who wishes to give evidence isentitled to come forward at the inquest butthe evidence tendered must be relevant tothe purpose of the inquest. A personwishing to give evidence at an inquest shouldmake this fact known to the Coroner as soonas possible. (See note 14)

1188 WWhhoo ccaann aasskk qquueessttiioonnss aatt aann iinnqquueesstt ?

Any person who has a proper interest in theinquest (a properly interested person) maypersonally examine a witness or be legallyrepresented by a Solicitor or Barrister.Properly interested persons include:

n the family and next-of-kin of thedeceased;

n personal representatives of thedeceased;

n representatives of a board or authorityin whose care the deceased was at thetime of death e.g. hospital, prison orother institution;

n those who may have caused death insome way e.g. driver of a motor vehicle;

n representatives of insurance companies;

(Where death resulted from an incidentat work) -n representatives of trade unions;n employer of the deceased;n inspector of the Health and Safety

Authority;n others at the discretion of the Coroner.

Properly interested persons at inquest areentitled to be legally represented. Legalrepresentation is not mandatory, but suchpersons may sometimes wish to instructsolicitors. Legal aid is not available atinquests.

It is helpful if solicitors notify the Coronerprior to the inquest that they have been soinstructed.

1199 CCaann tthhee rreeppoorrtt ooff aann iinnqquueessttbbee oobbttaaiinneedd ?

Copies of the postmortem report and depositionstaken at inquest including a copy of theverdict are available from the Coroner’sOffice on payment of a fee, once the inquesthas concluded. It should be noted thatinquest papers are generally not availableprior to the inquest being held.

The Freedom of Information Act 1997 doesnot apply to Coroners Inquests andinquiries. Documents are available underthe Coroners Act 1962 [See also S.I. No. 429of 2000 (Fees and Expenses)].

16

2200 WWiillll tthhee iinnqquueesstt bbee rreeppoorrtteeddiinn tthhee nneewwssppaappeerrss ?

All inquests are held in public and reportersmay be present. In practice, a minority ofinquests are reported. The Coroner is awareof the tragic circumstances and will endeavourto treat each death sympathetically. Theexistence of suicide notes will beacknowledged, but the contents will not beread out, except at the specific request ofthe next-of-kin and then only at the discretionof the Coroner. Every attempt is made toensure that the inquest proceedings are notunduly intrusive for families concerned.

2211 WWhhaatt iiss tthhee rroollee ooff tthhee CCoorroonneerr iinn rreellaattiioonn ttoo oorrggaannttrraannssppllaannttaattiioonn ?

If a death is (or will be) reportable to theCoroner, his permission is required beforeorgans are harvested for transplantation. Inaddition the written consent of the next-of-kin is required. If the Coroner grantspermission for organ harvesting thesubsequent postmortem examination will bea limited one. The matter must be fullydiscussed with the Coroner, at the appropriatetime so that a prompt decision may be made.In general, the Coroner will facilitate requestsfor organ harvesting and transplantation.Doctors should contact the Coroner assoon as possible in such cases.

17

2222 WWhhaatt iiss tthhee rroollee ooff tthhee CCoorroonneerr wwhheerree aa bbooddyy iiss ttoo bbeerreemmoovveedd oouutt ooff IIrreellaanndd ?

The Coroner must be notified in every casewhere a body is to be removed out ofIreland, whether or not there has been aCoroner’s inquiry, postmortem examinationor inquest. This applies even if the death wasdue to natural causes and has beencertified by a Doctor (i.e. not originally aCoroner’s case). It is the Coroner in whosedistrict the body is lying who must benotified. If satisfied in relation to the causeof death the Coroner will issue a certificate,usually to the funeral director, forpresentation to the appropriate authoritiespermitting removal of the body out of thecountry.

2233 WWhhaatt iiss tthhee rroollee ooff tthhee CCoorroonneerr wwhheerree aa bbooddyy iissrreettuurrnneedd ttoo IIrreellaanndd ?

When a body is returned to Ireland theCoroner will not normally be involved exceptwhere a question in relation to an unnaturaldeath abroad occurs. In practice, it is theCoroner into whose district the body comesto lie who will be informed where concernsarise in relation to the circumstances of adeath which occurred in another country. Insome cases the Coroner may direct apostmortem examination (or an additionalexamination) of the body or may decide toconduct an inquest.

18

AAppppeennddiixx AA

DDeeaatthhss WWhhiicchh MMuusstt BBee RReeppoorrtteedd ttoo tthheeCCoorroonneerr

Deaths are reported to the Coroner under theCoroners Act 1962 (rules of law). In addition,there are local rules which require that otherdeaths must be reported (rules of practice).

Deaths reportable under rules of law include:

1 Sudden, unexpected or unexplained deaths.

2 Where the appropriate registered medicalpractitioner cannot sign a Medical Certificateof the cause of death (i.e. a deceased personwas not seen and treated within one monthbefore death, or the Cause of Death isunknown or death may be due to anunnatural cause).

3 Even where the deceased had been attendedby a registered medical practitioner for adocumented illness, if the Doctor is notsatisfied in relation to the cause of deathor death has occurred suddenly orunexpectedly, it must be reported.

4 Sudden infant death. Although the Doctormay believe that an infant has died of suddeninfant death syndrome (SIDS, “cot death”),such diagnosis can only be made following apostmortem examination: this applies also toso-called “sudden adult death syndrome”(SADS).

5 Death resulting from MRSA or other acquiredinfection.

6 Where a death was directly or indirectly dueto unnatural causes, (regardless of thelength of time between injury and death),including:

19

n road traffic accident;

n any accident in the home, workplace orelsewhere;

n any physical injury;

n falls and fractures;

n fractures in the elderly;

n drug overdose or drug abuse;

n neglect, including self-neglect;

n burns or carbon monoxide poisoning;

n starvation (including anorexia nervosa);

n exposure and hypothermia;

n poisoning from any cause - occupational, therapeutic, accidental,suicidal, homicidal and also foodpoisoning;

n drowning;

n hanging;

n firearms injuries.

7 Death resulting from an industrial oroccupational disease or accident.

8 Deaths which are directly or indirectly theresult of any surgical or medical treatment orany procedure. Where such treatment orprocedure may have contributed in any wayto death, the matter must be reported to theCoroner regardless of the time that haselapsed between the event and death. Anyallergic reaction to a drug administeredtherapeutically and any toxic reaction orside-effect of a drug which may have causedor contributed to death must be reported.

9 Where there is any allegation of medicalnegligence, misconduct or malpractice on thepart of the registered medical practitioner,nurse or other person.

20

10 Septicaemia which may be caused by injury.

11 Death occurring during a surgical operationor anaesthesia.

12 Abortions (other than natural) and certainstillbirths.

13 Acute alcohol poisoning (chronic alcoholismis reportable, but a Medical Certificate of theCause of Death will normally be accepted,unless there is some element of neglect[including self-neglect] or injury).

14 Deaths connected with crime or suspectedcrime.

15 Where death may be due to homicide oroccurred in suspicious circumstances.

16 Death of a person in prison or legal custody,including deaths in hospital whilst sentence isbeing served and deaths in Garda stations.

17 Death of a person receiving a disabilitypension - where death is or may be connectedwith a pensionable disability.

18 Death of a patient in a mental hospital.

19 Death of a child in care.

20 A death which may be due to CJD.

21 Where a person is found dead.

22 Where human remains are found.

23 Where the cause of death is unknown orobscure.

24 Where a body is to be removed out of Ireland.

21

Deaths reportable under rules of practiceinclude:

25 Where a person is brought in dead (BID; DOA,dead on arrival) to the accident andemergency department of a hospital.

26 Deaths occurring in an accident andemergency department.

27 Where death occurs within 24 hours ofadmission to hospital.

28 Where death occurs within 24 hours of theadministration of an anaesthetic, surgicalprocedure or any procedure. (Note wheredeath may be due to a complication of ananaesthetic, surgical procedure, drugreaction or injury it must be reported to theCoroner notwithstanding when death occurs,i.e. whether days, weeks, months or yearsafter the event).

29 Certain deaths which occur in a departmentof a hospital, e.g. radiology department, out-patients, physiotherapy, E.C.G., E.E.G., etc.

30 Maternal Deaths.

31 Where a patient dies in hospital, having beenrecently transferred or discharged from anursing home or other residential institution(including mental hospital or prison).

32 Deaths occurring in Nursing Homes or placesof care of the elderly.

33 Where there is any doubt as to the cause ofdeath. (See note 4)

22

AAppppeennddiixx BBSSaammppllee FFoorrmm ((OOrrggaann RReetteennttiioonn))

Coroners Act 1962

The Coroner has directed a postmortem examination

of the body ofin order to establish the cause of death. Small blocksof tissue may be retained for microscopic examinationand will form part of the record of the postmortemexamination. In order to establish the cause of deathit may occasionally be necessary to retain a wholeorgan or organs for further examination. In themajority of cases no organs are retained. In order tocarry out the examination with minimum distress tothe family we require the following information:

I have been given an explanatoryleaflet on postmortem examination.

I do not wish to be informed that anorgan has been retained.

I wish to be informed that an organhas been retained before the body isreleased for burial or cremation.

I wish to be informed that an organhas been retained after theexamination is completed.

Where an organ is retained weneed to ascertain your wishes fordisposal.

I request the hospital to dispose ofthe retained organ(s) in accordancewith an agreed practice.

I wish to make my own arrangements for disposal or burial.

Signed:Spouse or next-of-kin

N.B. This is not a consent form for a Coroner’sautopsy. (See note 9)

23

24