Coroners Act 2010 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 3 · Investigations Into Deaths
12. Preliminary investigation by Coroner
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As soon as possible after a death is reported to a Coroner, the Coroner is to make a preliminary investigation into the cause of and circumstances connected with the death, including whether the death was due to natural causes.
Coroner
“Coroner” means a Coroner appointed under section 3(1), and includes the State Coroner;
In the preliminary investigation, a Coroner need not view the body, but may, if the Coroner thinks it necessary, do so —
investigation
“investigation” means an investigation into a death conducted by a police officer, a Coroner or a forensic pathologist, and includes any post-mortem examination;
at the place where the body is lying, or any other place to which the body has been moved; or
by a live video link, or by any other means that the State Coroner may approve which reasonably allows the Coroner to view and identify the body.
If after the preliminary investigation, a Coroner considers that the death was due to natural causes and that it is unnecessary to hold an inquiry, the Coroner may issue an order under section 22 for the release of the body.
inquiry
“inquiry” means an inquiry into any death held by a Coroner under Part 6;