In cases where a doctor is unable to determine the cause of death, it is necessary for the coroner to be notified – the police do this. The police prepare a report for the coroner who then seeks to determine the cause of death by contacting the doctor of the deceased or requesting a pathologist to inspect the body and carry out an autopsy.
The coroner usually becomes involved with the following deaths:
- A person who has not seen a doctor in the last three months.
- Unexpected deaths in hospital.
- Deaths due to suicide, homicide, poisoning or drug overdose.
- Deaths due to fire or accident.
- Deaths that occur at the persons place of employment.
- Deaths of persons accommodated or retained in government institutions. •
- Deaths caused by road accident. •
- Death in a public place.
We will liaise with the coroner’s department on your behalf.