Post mortem

Medical examinations that may be ordered by the Coroner

All deaths reported to the Coroner are reviewed by specialist forensic medicine and investigative teams. These teams gather medical and other information about your loved one to avoid unnecessary examinations or transfers, particularly in regional areas.

The role of the team is to gather as much evidence as is necessary to enable the Coroner to determine the cause of death using the least invasive method. This evidence can involve any of the following types of examination:

• A review of the medical records
• Computed tomography (CT scanning)
• Blood toxicology testing
• An external examination
• A coronial post mortem examination
• A combination of any of these.

The majority of examinations ordered by the Coroner are minimally invasive. In some cases where the cause of death cannot be found, a coronial post mortem is required. A coronial post mortem is performed by a highly specialised forensic pathologist. It is similar to a surgical operation and includes examination of internal organs.

Coroner decides if a post mortem is required

If the Coroner decides a post mortem examination is necessary, this work will be undertaken by a specialist doctor with extensive training and experience. After the examination, organs and tissue are usually returned.

If the examination determines the cause of death was natural, no inquest will be held, and the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages will issue a death certificate. The coronial process is now complete and the family can finalise funeral arrangements. 

Family should not set a date for the funeral until they receive confirmation from the Coroner as to when their loved one will be released into the care of their nominated funeral director.

Post Mortem

A post mortem (or autopsy) is ordered by the Coroner to ensure that they can deliver an accurate finding regarding the cause of death. A post mortem is a detailed examination of the body by a doctor who has special training and experience in this field.

During the post-mortem examination, the forensic pathologist examines the deceased person to determine the presence, nature and extent of any disease or damage.  In some cases, an examination of internal organs is required.

If the Coroners decides that a post mortem is necessary to establish cause of death, family who wish to read these reports can apply to the court for a copy and it will be provided when the report is finalised and the Coroner has approved release. However, any applicants should be aware that:

·         The contents will be distressing for family members to read

·         The reports are written by a forensic pathologist and intended for a medicolegal readership. The language used can be complex and they are best interpreted by a medical professional (eg your GP)

·         They may take more than a year from the date of examination to be written and available for release.

When deciding the type of examination required, the religious and cultural needs of the family will be considered. The senior next-of-kin (SNoK) will be informed before any examination commences and they will have an opportunity to object.

Objection to a post mortem

If there is an objection, senior next-of-kin are requested to inform the Coroner in writing - this can be done by email - stating their reasons for objection as soon as possible. This should be sent to the court where the death was reported.

If the Coroner decides a post mortem is still required after considering the written reasons, notice will be sent to the senior next-of-kin advising they have 48 hours to apply to the Supreme Court for an order preventing the post mortem.

Legal assistance may be needed to make a Supreme Court application. Senior next-of-kin are requested to inform coronial support staff immediately if they do not wish to proceed to the Supreme Court.

Organ retention

In a small number of cases, whole organs may need to be retained for more testing. In these cases, a coronial support officer will contact the senior next-of-kin to discuss and obtain consent.

Organs may have to be retained for an extended period of time to detect finer details of disease or damage. This is especially true of parts of the nervous system such as the brain. Organ retention tends to occur when the initial post mortem examination does not provide adequate information or where the cause of death can only be verified following further microscopic study of the organs. During the post mortem exam, the forensic pathologist will determine whether these tests are required.

Objection to organ retention

If a whole organ is to be held, an officer from the Coroner's Information and Support Program will contact you to explain what is happening and to inform you of your rights. In some cases, the tissue or organs can be returned later for burial or cremation.

If the senior next-of-kin objects to the organ retention, they will again  need to send their objection in writing  to the Coroner. If the Coroner still determines the organs need to be retained, notice will be sent to the senior next-of-kin advising they have 48 hours to apply to the Supreme Court for an order preventing retention of the organ.

Return of the body

Once the post mortem is complete, the Coroner will approve the release of the body. Your funeral company will arrange for the transfer of the body from the mortuary to the funeral home.

In some cases, the Coroner will decide that organs should be kept for a more thorough examination, in order to detect finer details of disease or damage.

Tissue Samples

Any samples taken from individual organs are usually retained forever.  The reason for keeping these samples is to ensure that any questions that may arise months, or even years after death, can be answered by further examination, perhaps by new techniques that were not available at the time of the initial examination.