Coronial Study - External user needs; other users
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The needs of other users are diverse, and are not specified in detail in this paper. One important
subject currently receiving attention is suicide. Suicide now accounts for more deaths in
Australia than road injury. While health authorities are actively involved in suicide research and
prevention, the interest and responsibility is not limited to this sector. The education sector,
for example, has a keen interest in suicide prevention among young people. The Victorian coroner
is currently involved in a detailed study of suicide deaths. The investigation protocol, and
definitions of data to be gathered, have been developed in conjunction with a number of interested
professionals. The AIC also maintains a homicide database which would be assisted by easier access
to coroner's data. This organisation is also conducting research into the implementation of
coroner's recommendations. Police research units could also take advantage of coronial data on
matters such as domestic violence, research into police involvement in critical situations, and
development of streamlined investigation procedures into common types of death.
There is a need to develop similar investigation and recording protocols for a number of
categories of death and to apply them Australia wide. Each category would require detailed
specification but the following common categories of information would be useful:
Person
Age
Sex
Country of birth
Event
Circumstances leading to death
Contributing factors
Toxicology
Date
Time
Place
Activity
Geographic location
Details of death
Cause of death
Nature of injuries / disease
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