Death Investigation and the Coroner's Inquest
By: Ian R. Freckelton, David Ranson (FRCPA.)
About This Book
"Death Investigation and the Coroner's Inquest is a major text on coroners' law, medicine and practice. It is the first such work with international, cross-disciplinary, policy, historical and literary perspectives. The book focuses on law and practice in Australia and New Zealand but draws upon law, practice and scholarly writing from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and the United States, as well as illustrative cases and experience from the Asia-Pacific region. The book bridges the divide between traditional legal texts dealing with inquests and with appeals from coroners' decisions, and those forensic medical and scientific texts dealing with pathology, autopsy practice and other technical aspects of death investigation. Death Investigation and the Coroner's Inquest addresses homicides, fatalities in workplaces, hospitals and prisons, and deaths from mass disasters and genocidal massacres. It analyses the contemporary role of the coroner and how the institution of coronership is likely to evolve in the post-Shipman era. It will be useful to coroners, lawyers, medical practitioners, police officers and others interested in death investigation and the operation and parameters of coroners' inquests. Provides a comprehensive overview of the legal, technical, scientific and medical features surrounding the investigations carried out by coronersOutlines the history of the coronial system of death investigation and illustrates this history with a number of case studies. Covers specialist death scenes such as deaths in custody, transport-related deaths and mass disasters, including disaster victim identification. Includes a wealth of practical information about coroners and those who assist them as expert witnessesIncludes appendices with key resource materials."--Publisher's website.
AI Overview
"Death Investigation and the Coroner's Inquest" by Ian R. Freckelton and David Ranson (FRCPA) provides a comprehensive overview of the legal, technical, scientific, and medical features surrounding the investigations carried out by coroners. Here is a detailed summary of the book:
Key Themes
- Legal Framework: The book delves into the legal principles and procedures governing coroner's inquests, including the roles of legal representatives and the rights of interested parties.
- Technical and Scientific Aspects: It covers the technical and scientific aspects of death investigation, including post-mortem examinations, forensic pathology, and toxicology.
- Medical Features: The book explores the medical aspects of death investigation, including the role of medical examiners and the interpretation of autopsy findings.
- Inquest Procedures: It provides a detailed guide to the conduct of inquests, including pre-inquest reviews, the role of witnesses, and the impact of criminal proceedings on inquests.
Plot Summary
The book is structured to provide practical guidance for practitioners involved in coronial work or fatal accident litigation. It includes chapters that address specific scenarios such as road traffic accidents (Chapter 17) and the role of interested persons in inquests (Chapter 10). The text is aimed directly at practitioners, offering insights into navigating the complex legal and technical rules surrounding coroner's inquests.
Critical Reception
While there is no specific critical review available for this book in the sources provided, the general reception of similar books on coroner's inquests suggests that "Death Investigation and the Coroner's Inquest" would be well-received for its comprehensive and practical approach. The book is described as "easy to use" and "of considerable use" for practitioners involved in coronial work or fatal accident litigation.
Practical Use
The book is recommended for anyone representing a family in a fatal claim or inquest. It provides guidance on the type of road collision deaths that require an inquest, the pre-inquest review process, and the conduct of the inquest. It also addresses the impact of criminal proceedings on inquests, a subject often vexing for many practitioners.
Conclusion
"Death Investigation and the Coroner's Inquest" by Ian R. Freckelton and David Ranson offers a comprehensive and practical guide to the legal, technical, scientific, and medical features of death investigation. It is a valuable resource for practitioners involved in coronial work or fatal accident litigation, providing detailed insights into the complex procedures and rules surrounding coroner's inquests.