Industry Spotlight Each year more than 6,000 sudden or unexplained deaths are reported to the NSW Coroner and behind each case there is a bereaved family experiencing intense loss.
Forensic Medicine, NSW Health Pathology
Forensic Medicine understands how vital it is that timely information and emotional support is provided to a deceased person’s loved ones. After each new referral, a forensic social worker contacts the deceased person’s senior next-of-kin to provide updates on the post-mortem examination process and timeline. Our forensic social workers also facilitate viewings at our facilities and provide essential resources to assist with the grieving process. The role of the forensic social worker is unique to the NSW coronial system and we are very proud of the quality of support provided to families every day.
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t NSW Health Pathology’s Forensic Medicine service, we know that the referral of a loved one’s unexpected or unexplained death to the Coroner often causes additional stress and confusion. Forensic Medicine places the highest priority on supporting both a bereaved family’s need for answers as well as the Coroner’s role in delivering justice and improving the health and safety of communities across NSW. Forensic Medicine conducts all coronial post-mortem examinations in NSW at three dedicated facilities in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Our specialist teams work at the direction of the coroner and include forensic pathologists, radiologists, radiographers, forensic post-mortem technicians, forensic social workers and administrative staff. From time to time we call on the services of specialist forensic odontologists, forensic anthropologists and DNA biologists.
In 2019 we celebrated a significant milestone in the history of coronial investigations in Sydney. The $91.5m Forensic Medicine & Coroners Court Complex (FMCCC) opened in the south-western suburb of Lidcombe and is now the largest coroner’s court and forensic facility in Australia. The FMCCC facility replaced the Glebe Coroner’s Court which was no longer fit for purpose. The new building has extensive facilities, including four state-of-the-art courtrooms, which are enabling more comprehensive coronial investigations including mass casualty disasters. To learn more about this world-leading facility and watch a video highlighting its many features please visit www.pathology.health.nsw.gov. au/our-networks/forensic-medicine-coronerscourt-complex. Forensic Medicine is committed to developing and maintaining strong relationships with the many funeral directors who provide additional care for deceased people and their loved ones in the coronial system. We strive for excellence at all times and are committed to continuous improvement of our service. We
and will be conducting regular tours of our three Forensic Medicine facilities in Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong. To register your interest in attending a tour designed specifically for funeral directors please email Forensic Medicine’s Communications Manager Shauna Stafford at shauna.stafford@health.nsw.gov.au Meanwhile, if you would like to learn more about NSW Health Pathology’s Forensic Medicine service and the NSW coronial service you may find the following resources helpful: • NSW Health Pathology’s website www. pathology.health.nsw.gov.au/ournetworks/forensic-medicine • Information about the role of the Coroner in NSW http://www.coroners.justice.nsw. gov.au/Pages/coroner_role/coroner_role. aspx • The Coroners Court also publishes a brochure which explains the initial steps after a death is reported to the Coroner which can be downloaded from www. pathology.health.nsw.gov.au/ournetworks/forensic-medicine/informationfor-families. By Rebecca Gigli Chief Operating Officer Forensic Medicine, NSW Health Pathology
welcome feedback from all who engage with us. We are currently expanding our communication and engagement activities 29
