National Coronial Information System - NCIS
The National Coronial Information System (NCIS) was launched in 2000 as a resource for the collection, storage and access of coronial data. Data is sourced from all coronial jurisdictions in Australia and New Zealand about all reportable deaths. It enables coroners, their staff, public sector agencies, researchers and other agencies to obtain evidence to inform death and injury prevention activities.
Reportable Death
All Australian and New Zealand coronial jurisdictions have a statutory obligation to investigate certain kinds of deaths as defined by their respective Coroners Act. The Coroners Act governing each state and territory defines what constitutes a ‘reportable death’ to determine which deaths must be investigated by a coroner. In essence, a coroner has a responsibility to determine what has happened in accidental, unexpected or unexplained deaths. This includes cases of suicide. The coroner’s role includes determining the medical cause of the person’s death and the circumstances in which this occurred. The coroner is aided by the investigations of police, medical specialists and other experts. Where appropriate, a coroner makes recommendations in an effort to increase community safety and prevent similar fatalities in the future.