Coroner’s Officer
Role Purpose
Investigate causes of death and assist in the execution of legal duties at the direction of HM Coroner to ensure the correct cause of death is recorded.
Key Accountabilities
• Act within the scope of Coronial law, including the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, the Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013, and other relevant statutory provisions and case law to ensure compliance with the Chief Coroner’s written advice and guidance and the Human Tissue Act 2004.
• Receive reports of deaths referred to the Coroner, confirm the correct cause of death has been established, and that formal identification of the body is completed in an ethical and empathic manner in compliance with legislation and standard practice to further policing-related outcomes.
• Report to the Coroner in all referred cases of death to assist the judicial decision-making process, such as whether to request a post-mortem examination, commence an investigation into the death, or to notify the local registrar of no further investigation.
• Arrange for post-mortem examinations when authorised by the Coroner, ensuring pathologists are provided with relevant information, that samples are dispatched appropriately and that the integrity of exhibits is preserved.
• Maintain contact with the Next of Kin on behalf of the Coroner, providing updates as and when necessary, to ensure the smooth progress of Coroners functions.
• Collect and secure evidence on behalf of the Coroner, acting within coronial law, to create an investigation case file and ensure the maintenance of a log of investigative enquiries/actions.
• Arrange dates for the opening of an inquest, the inquest hearing and any pre-inquest hearings as required by the Coroner to ensure that when required a jury, witnesses and interested parties are available to attend.
• Inquire as directed into finds of treasure to ensure compliance with Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
Behaviours
All roles are expected to know, understand and act within the ethics and values of the Police Service.
The Competency and Values Framework (CVF) has six competencies that are clustered into three groups. Under each competency are three levels that show what behaviours will look like in practice.
It is suggested that this role should be operating or working towards the following levels of the CVF:
Resolute, compassionate and committed
Inclusive, enabling and visionary leadership
Intelligent, creative and informed policing
Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Prior Education and Experience:
• Working knowledge of the various Acts, Rules, Regulations and Policies in relation to Coronary functions and Legislation.
• Working knowledge of functions and procedures of the Criminal Justice System.
• Previous experience in working in a role requiring attention to detail, maintenance of confidentiality, and sensitivity.
Skills:
• Good communication skills with the ability to listen to others, able to present evidence at inquests and other hearings.
• Sensitivity and adaptable interpersonal skills applied in accordance with the varied needs of differing situations, individuals, and groups.
• Ability to recognise and cope with the distressing elements of the role and support and/or communicate with bereaved relatives.
• Able to produce concise reports or other documents.
• Skilled in the use standard IT packages, systems and/or databases to fulfil role requirements.
• Able to use resources efficiently in own role and to comply with financial rules and procedures.
• Able to identify potential opportunities to enhance efficiency and/or effectiveness within own area of work.
• Able to break down a straightforward problem into component parts and determine appropriate action.
• Able to review own performance objectively and to develop and follow an appropriate improvement plan.
• Able to appropriately prioritise and plan own work and to work independently.
• Able to proactively develop effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Attend Judicial College course as when applicable or appropriate.
• Attend training or development opportunities as directed by the coronial service or the service manager.
• Develop a working knowledge of DVI roles and procedures.
• Research and refresh own subject matter expertise.
• Maintain currency of College of Policing Guidance, best practice and any local policy applicable to the operational police context.
• Maintain and update key knowledge, understanding and skills relating to legislation policy and practice across all functional policing areas of operational responsibility.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of new approaches identified by evidence based policing research and problem solving and team working and synthesise these into working practice.
• Complete all annual and mandatory training including for example, fitness tests, personal safety training, first aid, and protecting information.
Professional Registration/Licenses
Not applicable.
Links to other Profiles
None.