CORONERS ACT 2003 - SECT 45 Coroner’s findings

CORONERS ACT 2003 - SECT 45

45 Coroner’s findings

(1) A coroner who is investigating a suspected death must, if possible, find whether or not a death in fact happened.

(2) A coroner who is investigating a death or suspected death must, if possible, find—

(a) who the deceased person is; and

(b) how the person died; and

(c) when the person died; and

(d) where the person died, and in particular whether the person died in Queensland; and

(e) what caused the person to die.

(3) However, the coroner need not make the findings listed in subsection (2) if—

(a) the coroner is unable to find that a suspected death in fact happened; or

(b) the coroner stops investigating the death under section 12 (2) .

(4) The coroner must give a written copy of the findings to—

(a) a family member of the deceased person who has indicated that he or she will accept the document for the deceased person’s family; and

(b) if an inquest was held—any person who, as a person with a sufficient interest in the inquest, appeared at the inquest; and

(c) if the deceased person was a child—

(i) the family and child commissioner; and

(ii) the chief executive (child safety); and

(d) if the coroner is not the State Coroner—the State Coroner.

(5) The coroner must not include in the findings any statement that a person is, or may be—

(a) guilty of an offence; or

(b) civilly liable for something.

(6) This section applies whether or not an inquest is held.