Common terms associated with the Coroner Service

Below is a list of common terms associated with the Coroner Service of Ireland.

Closed case

Any case that closed in that year, regardless of which year the death occurred. This includes cases from previous years which were closed in this year. Cases that were reported this year but which are not closed yet are not included in these figures as these are pending cases.

Pending case

Any case which has not yet been closed, regardless of which year the death occurred. This could include cases from previous years which have not yet been closed.

Death Report only

The number of cases closed where the Coroner was notified of a death and where after inquiry into the circumstances it was not considered necessary for the Coroner to direct a post mortem examination or hold an inquest and the Coroner certifies this inquiry under section 41(2) of the Civil Registration Act 2004 having also confirmed that a Death Notification Form is being issued by the attending doctor as to the medical cause of death.

Report and post-mortem

The number of cases closed which required a report and a post mortem where the Coroner has conducted an investigation and is of the opinion that, by law, a post mortem is required and arrangements are made to have a post mortem carried out and the findings indicate that the holding of an inquest is not necessary.

Report, post mortem and inquest

The number of cases closed which required a report, a post mortem and an inquest where the Coroner has conducted an investigation and ascertained that, by law, an inquest is necessary and is held.

Total cases completed: All closed cases that year. This is the sum of “report only”, “report and post mortem” and “report, post mortem and inquest” cases.

Coroner

A Coroner is an independent quasi-judicial officer with legal responsibility for the forensic and medico-legal investigation of sudden and unexplained deaths or deaths in certain circumstances set out in the law.

Post mortem

Also known as an autopsy, a post mortem is a special medical examination on the deceased, carried out by a specially trained doctor, a Pathologist.

Pathologist

A Pathologist is a specialist doctor trained to identify the cause of death including where a violent event may have occurred, or disease in organs and tissues of the deceased.

Toxicology Test

A toxicology test helps a Pathologist detect chemicals and substances such as alcohol, poisons or medications.

Post mortem report

The post mortem report provides details of the examination findings on the deceased. It may also give details of any laboratory tests which have been carried out.

Interim Death Certificate

An interim death certificate issued by a Coroner certifies the fact of a person’s death. The certificate is not provided for in statute, but may be of assistance to next of kin when dealing with the Department of Social Protection, Probate (Wills) Office, post office, banks and other financial institutions whilst awaiting the full death certificate from the Civil Registration Service following the completion of the Coroner’s investigation.

Inquest

An inquest is an inquiry in public by a Coroner, sitting with or without a jury to establish the identity of the deceased person, how, when and where the death occurred and the circumstances in which the death occurred and to make findings and return a verdict.

Exhumation

Exhumation means the removal of human remains from the ground after it has been buried.