CORONERS ACT 1997 - SECT 68F Senior police officer may establish scene for expected coronial
CORONERS ACT 1997 - SECT 68F
Senior police officer may establish scene for expected coronial investigation(1) This section applies if—
(a) a coroner is not available to decide whether to issue a coronial investigation scene order for a particular place; and
(b) a senior police officer believes on reasonable grounds that—
(i) a coroner is likely to issue a coronial investigation scene order for the place; and
(ii) it is necessary to preserve the integrity of anything found at the place that appears relevant to the death of a person.
(2) The senior police officer may make a coronial investigation scene declaration for the place.
(3) A coronial investigation scene declaration—
(a) comes into force when it is made by the senior police officer; and
(b) ends when whichever of the following happens first:
(i) a coronial investigation order is issued for the place;
(ii) the period of 24 hours after the declaration was made ends; and
(c) may include any conditions on the exercise of a power mentioned in subsection (4) that the senior police officer considers appropriate.
(4) While a declaration is in force, a police officer at the place may, subject to any condition in the declaration, exercise any power mentioned in section 68E (Coronial investigation scene powers) as if the declaration were a coronial investigation scene order.
(5) A coronial investigation scene declaration may be made in writing or orally.
(6) However, a declaration made orally must, as soon as practicable, be made in writing.
(7) In this section:
"senior police officer" means the chief police officer or another police officer of or above the rank of superintendent.