Download The-Role-of-the-Coroner-in-Fatal

The Role of the Coroner in Fatal
Fires
• Medicolegal Death Investigation
• Sudden, unexplained, violent and unnatural
death
• Article 2 European Convention of Human
Rights
Death Investigation
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Coronial system
Medical examiner
Procurator fiscal
Magistrate
Forensic service
Police
• An inquest must be held in all unnatural
deaths.
• All fire deaths must be reported to the
district coroner.
• An inquest must be held.
• Domestic/industrial fires
• Arson/homicide
• Major disasters
Major Disaster
• Incident involving multiple fatalities
• Requires special arrangements to be made
• Report to coroner
• Preliminary inquiry
• Autopsy
Identification
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Visual/body characteristics
Photographic
Fingerprinting
Dental charting
DNA profiling
• Preservation and forensic examination of
scene
• Statements of witnesses
• Are there any suspicious circumstances?
Autopsy
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Hospital pathologist
Forensic pathologist
Toxicology
Special examination
Medical reports
Hospital chart
Toxicology
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Carbon monoxide
Cyanides
Alcohol levels
Drug screen
Cause of Death
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Burns
Carbon monoxide poisoning (smoke)
Inhalation injury
Infection
Multiorgan failure
Other causes
Inquest
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Public hearing
Inquisitorial (not adversarial)
Interested persons
Circumstances of death
Findings/verdict
Recommendations
Witnesses
• Identification witness (or forensic evidence in
relation to identification)
• Witnesses who can give evidence in relation to the
circumstances of the fire
• Person who last saw the deceased alive
• Members of the fire service and rescue teams
• Scenes examiner
• Investigating Garda
• Pathologist
Verdict
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Accident
Misadventure
Suicide
Homicide (unlawful killing)
Open verdict
Natural causes
• Certificate for death registration
• Follow-up on any recommendations made
by the coroner or jury