Coroners Act, 1962

Post-mortem examination in lieu of inquest.

19.—(1) Where a coroner—

(a) is informed that the body of a deceased person is lying within his district, and

(b) is of opinion that that person's death may have occurred suddenly and from unknown causes, and

(c) is of opinion that a post-mortem examination of the body of that person may show that an inquest in relation to the death is unnecessary,

he may cause the examination to be made and if, in his opinion, the report of the examination shows that an inquest in relation to the death is unnecessary it shall not be obligatory upon him to hold an inquest.

(2) Nothing in this section shall authorise a coroner to dispense with holding an inquest in relation to a death if he is of opinion that the death may have occurred in a violent or unnatural manner or in a place or in circumstances which, under provisions in that behalf contained in any other enactment, require that an inquest should be held.