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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 • • • • • • 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 • • • • • Visual/body characteristics Photographic Fingerprinting Dental charting DNA profiling • Preservation and forensic examination of scene • Statements of witnesses • Are there any suspicious circumstances? Autopsy • • • • • • Hospital pathologist Forensic pathologist Toxicology Special examination Medical reports Hospital chart Toxicology • • • • Carbon monoxide Cyanides Alcohol levels Drug screen Cause of Death • • • • • • Burns Carbon monoxide poisoning (smoke) Inhalation injury Infection Multiorgan failure Other causes Inquest • • • • • • 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 • • • • • • 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