Coronial Process FAQs

This information was obtained by the Northland/Auckland SUDI Referral Advisor - Barbara Wright.

Can they take my baby?

Yes. Once a baby has died the Coroner Act 2006 applies. The coroner and the police on behalf of the coroner have, for a short period, exclusive custody of baby and must perform their duty without delay. The purpose of this process is to investigate the causes and circumstances of sudden or unexplained deaths, or deaths in special circumstances.

How do I get my baby back?

Once all investigative measures have been made the coroner will release baby to the family.

To assist with the process of getting baby back as quickly as possible, it is best to have a funeral director organized prior to baby being released by the Coroner. The Funeral Director will also help you with funeral arrangements if required.

Where is baby being taken?

Baby will usually be taken to either Auckland Hospital or Wellington Hospital. Ninety per cent of all babies are usually taken to Auckland Hospital. Wellington Hospital has a specialist for Neonatal babies.

What is a post-mortem?

A post-mortem is an operation preformed on baby to identify why baby died. The post-mortem results will be written in clinical terminology and you can request a copy from your regional coronial services. Due to the clinical terminology, we recommend you take your copy of the post-mortem results to your GP who will explain the clinical notes.

CORONIAL SERVICES OF NEW ZEALAND

How long is the post-mortem?

Every effort is made to conduct the post-mortem quickly so the coroner can release the baby to the family. The full post-mortem results usually take up to 4 to 6 months but an interim result is usually available within one working day.

Why is the post mortem so long?

This is usually because the pathologist who performs the post-mortem (operation) on baby may have to take samples from baby. These samples are tested to help identify the circumstances of how baby may have died. The pathologist is required to tell the coroner whether samples have been retained so that the coroner can inform you of your right to have them returned to you after all testing has been done. The samples taken from baby are usually very minute.

Will there be an inquest?

If the coroner has not been given enough information to determine how baby died from the pathologist, family, lead maternity carer, Well Child provider or GP or the Coroner considers there is a public interest, the coroner will usually initiate an inquest.

What is an inquest?

The coroner conducts an inquest and will request all health professionals (lead maternity carer, Well Child providers, and GP) and family who were involved with baby to a court. This process is not a call for blame but to gather more information to make a final decision and recommendations in the death of baby. Sometimes instead of an inquest a finding will be made after consultation with you.

Can I have all samples back?

Yes. Once all testing is complete you can have all samples back by arrangement with the coroner unless they have been destroyed in the testing process . you must, however, let the coroner know promptly after receiving advice of retention if you want samples returned. If you don’t the pathologist may destroy or retain them.

What’s the difference from the Coroner and Pathologist?

The coroner is a qualified lawyer and judicial officer who carries out the legal component to the coronial process and overall investigation into the death of baby.

The pathologist is the specialist doctor approved by the chief coroner who performs the post-mortem (operation) on the baby. Information from the post-mortem is then given to the coroner to help with findings of what happened to baby.