Page:Coroners Act 2010.pdf/14

Rh PART IV POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION AND POWERS OF CORONER TO ORDER BURIAL, CREMATION OR EXHUMATION When post-mortem examination necessary

18.—(1) In a case of a death reported to a Coroner under section 11, the Coroner may, after consulting a pathologist, order a post-mortem examination to be conducted if the Coroner is of the opinion that a postmortem examination is necessary in the circumstances to establish the manner and cause of death.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a Coroner shall order a post-mortem examination to be conducted if he is directed to do so by the Public Prosecutor in any particular case.

Conduct of post-mortem examination

19.—(1) A post-mortem examination may only be performed by—
 * (a) a pathologist; or
 * (b) a medical practitioner under the supervision of a pathologist.

(2) A pathologist who conducts or supervises a post-mortem examination may—
 * (a) perform or cause to be performed any operation on the body that he thinks necessary, including causing any part or contents of the body or any other substance or thing to be retained for the purpose of determining the manner or cause of death; and
 * (b) where necessary, appoint any person who in his opinion is qualified to make a special examination by way of an analysis, test or otherwise of any part or contents of the body or of any other substance or thing, and send such part, contents, substance or thing to that person for special examination.

(3) The Coroner or the forensic pathologist investigating a case, if any, may direct the person performing a post-mortem examination to cause to be retained any part or contents of the body or any other substance or thing which appears to the Coroner or forensic pathologist to be relevant in establishing the manner or cause of death.