Venues & Facilities
Dewsbury:
The Coroner has a duty to investigate those deaths that are reported to the Coroner. This can be as a result of a referral from a hospital, GP or in the case of a death in the community, the police. The Coroner’s enquiries are made for the Coroner by the Coroner’s officers and are carried out as sensitively as possible, but the Coroner must still ensure that proper enquiries are made.
In some cases the Coroner will direct a post-mortem examination (also known as an autopsy) to be performed by a pathologist to establish the medical cause of death.
The decision is for the Coroner to make. A report is delivered to the Coroner by the pathologist to confirm or reveal the medical cause of death. The body of the person who has died is usually released for burial soon after the post-mortem examination is undertaken, but there may be a delay if further tests or examinations are necessary. In homicide cases, a second examination may need to be performed.
A non-invasive procedure (in the form of CT scanning) may be an alternative to an invasive post-mortem examination. A digital autopsy service is offered by Bradford Council at a charge (see link below). The facility allows families to opt for “non-invasive” autopsies for their deceased loved ones – with computer technology used to scan the body.
When the post-mortem report is received the Coroner will consider it and may decide that the Coroner is able to conclude the Inquest as a Documentary Inquest under Rule 23 of the Coroner’s (Inquests) Rules 2013. This means that witnesses will not be required to attend to give evidence in person. The Inquest will not be concluded in this way without consultation with the family and other interested persons.
- Mid Yorkshire Trust (Dewsbury & Pinderfields Hospitals)
- Ml Ilyas Dalal – 07980 298770
- Ml Aslam Seedat – 07855 785574