National Coroners Service Act

28. Deaths to be investigated by the Service

Edition: 2022-12-31 · In force

The Service shall have jurisdiction to investigate the cause of death where—

(a)the deceased person is reported to have died of a violent or an unnatural death;

(b)the deceased person is reported to have died of a sudden death of which the cause is unknown;

(c)the deceased person is reported to have died in police custody or military custody;

(d)the death occurs during or following an assault within twenty-four hours following a surgical or invasive or surgical procedures;

(e)the death occurs during or following administration of anaesthesia;

(f)the death occurs twenty-four hours immediately after a person is discharged from hospital or any health facility;

(g)a person suffers an injury and dies within one year and one day;

(h)it is a suspected maternal death, termination of birth, cot deaths and sexual violence related deaths;

(i)it is a case of infanticides;

(j)the death occurs in circumstances prescribed by regulations under any written law and classified and reportable deaths;

(k)death occurs in an institution with children facilities or mental hospital;

(l)death occurs during or while in care of any institution or person; or

(m)the death was a death in custody of any other person authorized in law to retain custody of a person for a specified period;

(n)the death was as a result of child abuse; or

(o)it is in a place and in such circumstances as may require an investigation under any other law within the jurisdiction of the Coroner-General.