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This Act amends the Coroners Act 2003 to allow the State Coroner
to return a finding of ‘undetermined natural causes’ in appropriate cases. The
intent of this legislation is to ensure efficient use of the State’s forensic
resources and to spare families the stress of a coronial investigation where
possible.
The discretion afforded to the State Coroner in this Act is
subject to several safeguarding conditions including that a finding of an
‘undetermined natural cause’:
• cannot be made if an inquest is required;
• is reliant on the State Coroner being
satisfied, after obtaining relevant medical information or advice, that the
death was due to natural causes; and
• relies on a senior next of kin of the
deceased giving their consent for the State Coroner to cease testing and return
such a finding.
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