Coroners Act 2010 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 4 · Post-Mortem Examination and Powers of Coroner to Order Burial, Cremation or Exhumation
20. Post-mortem examination report and special examination report
Feedback & supportA pathologist who has conducted or supervised any post‑mortem examination must —
pathologist
“pathologist” means a medical practitioner who is registered as a specialist in pathology under the Medical Registration Act 1997;
draw up, or cause to be drawn up, a report of the findings of the post-mortem examination and of the conclusions which he or she draws from it;
certify as to the medical cause of death; and
date and sign the report and send it to the Coroner who ordered the post-mortem examination.
Where a person has been appointed under section 19(2)(b), he or she must draw up a report of the findings of his or her special examination, date and sign the report and send it to the Coroner who ordered the post-mortem examination.
Coroner
“Coroner” means a Coroner appointed under section 3(1), and includes the State Coroner;
The post-mortem examination report made under subsection (1) and any special examination report made under subsection (2) are admissible as evidence, and are prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein, at any inquiry held under this Act.
inquiry
“inquiry” means an inquiry into any death held by a Coroner under Part 6;
The pathologist who conducted or supervised the post‑mortem examination or any person appointed under section 19(2)(b), if summoned by the Coroner as a witness in an inquiry, may be asked to give evidence as to his or her opinion upon any matter arising out of the examination conducted or supervised by him or her and as to how in his or her opinion the deceased came by his or her death.