Approximately half of all deaths in England and Wales are referred to the Coroner.
The Notification of Deaths Regulations (2019) sets out the deaths which must be referred to the Coroner, summarised below;
a) there is a suspicion that the person’s death was due to;
- poisoning;
- contact with a toxic substance
- the use of a medicinal product or drug;
- violence;
- trauma or injury;
- self-harm;
- neglect, including self-neglect;
- the person undergoing a medical treatment or procedure;
- an injury or disease attributable to any employment held by the person during their lifetime.
b) it is suspected that the person’s death was unnatural
c) the cause of death is unknown
d) the person died while in custody or in state detention
e) there is no attending medical practitioner required to sign a death certificate (MCCD)
f) the attending medical practitioner is not available within a reasonable time to sign a MCCD
g) the identity of the deceased cannot be ascertained
For further information please refer to the following;
The Death Notification Regulations 2019;
If you are unsure why a death has been reported to the Coroner please contact our office.