Implementation plan

System development

1. Stage 1
2. Stage 2
3. Stage 3

Stage 1

This stage would concentrate on developing a national coroners' database containing data of high quality and validity. This would exist alongside administrative systems and, where possible, information would be exchanged electronically to limit duplication of effort. The diversity of environments and systems across the States suggests that it is better to proceed with the development of the research data system in parallel with administrative developments, rather than take on the task of developing a uniform integrated system. This will result in more speedy development and avoid difficulties related to the different administrative requirements in each State. Administrative systems could be greatly simplified by being developed without the research data component, but linked to the research data by a unique case identifier key.

Stage 1 would involve the following tasks:

• develop standard investigation protocols for various categories of death;
• design forms that reflect the investigation protocols and provide ways of recording necessary information systematically. These would include self coding or check boxes for simple items (such as gender) and prompted text boxes for more complex information;
• develop procedures to ensure the use of the correct protocols. This could include automated faxing of protocols to investigating officers as soon as a telephone notification of death occurs;
• develop a system for entering self coded and text information into a central database. This would occur differently in different States. Where computerised administrative systems are available, items required for administrative purposes could be entered locally and electronically transmitted to a central database. Other information, and information from States where administrative systems are not computerised could be faxed or scanned and computer transmitted to the central database;
• develop a system for coding and entering text from source documents including forms, initial police reports and coroner's findings into electronic form. Coding of information is a specialised task which requires close quality control. It is therefore envisaged that coding would be done at a single location. The database would be accessible to all jurisdictions;
• develop a nationally accessible computer network which could be accessed by coroners via existing State networks and telephone dial up. An existing network such as the Commonwealth Attorney General's system may be an appropriate vehicle;
• develop a client base and routine early warning reporting systems;
• develop a flexible inquiry and statistical reporting system using both text and structured case selection using modern, user-friendly access tools;
• train staff in the use of the system.

At the completion of stage one, the expressed needs of coroners and many of the needs of major users, could be fully met. Reporting of coded information to the State registrar and the ABS would be possible.

Stage 2

This stage is a technological development stage which would permit streamlining of information collection through redeveloped, compatible administrative systems with a greater proportion of information being transmitted electronically to the central database. If all jurisdictions have developed compatible computerised administrative systems, the feasibility of the central database being reconstituted as a distributed database should be examined. There will, however, still be a need for a central coding and quality control function.

Stage 3

Technological developments are advancing rapidly. The logical next step would be to increase the proportion of coroners' information which is accessible on-line. Many of the documents which flow into the coroner's system are electronically produced and could be accessed via the national system. Each jurisdiction could set its own pace for electronic storage of full post mortem reports, toxicological reports, vehicle autopsy and other documents, including full inquest transcripts. In addition, photographic evidence could be digitised and made available. This would allow the more complex needs of users such as FORS to be met in full. By this time, seamless access to the documents on cases in which they are interested should be possible, with access via the national system to documents stored on local electronic information systems.

As more information is made available, and the sophistication of access increases, new ideas of how data is to be used will emerge. Coroners will discover new ways of using information in their investigations, and users will request more information. Technology will make access easier and cheaper. It will be necessary to develop a plan for further development which is within the resources available at this point in time.