Western Australian State Coroner, Alastair Hope, is a far cry from the popular film and TV images of coroners, who are surrounded by serial killers and grisly post mortems. He provides a service to the community by investigating and providing answers about sudden deaths.

There is only one State Coroner working in Western Australia and he works in the Perth metropolitan area.

There is also a Deputy State Coroner, Evelyn Vicker, who also works in the Perth metropolitan area. Both coroners hold inquests in Perth and in country regions.

To become the State Coroner, you must be appointed by the Governor. To be considered, you must be eligible to become a magistrate, which requires the completion of a Bachelor of Laws degree and a minimum of 5 years' experience as a lawyer, preferably with extensive litigation experience.

Each year, several hundred students commence a Bachelor of Laws degree.

The Right To Know

When someone dies suddenly or for no apparent reason, the victim's family and the public have a right to know 'why?' And it is the coroner, under the Coroner's Act 1996, who determines the circumstances surrounding the cause of sudden deaths.

Sudden deaths, that are the result of a motor vehicle accident, a suicide, a death while in police custody or a health institution, are investigated by the Western Australia Police Service. The Department of Industry and Resources investigates deaths on mine sites, while WorkSafe Western Australia investigates other worksite accidents. If a death occurs in a hospital, the coroner may request a report from a relevant specialist medical practitioner.


Natural deaths are also investigated if a doctor is unable to provide a death certificate because they are not familiar with that person's medical history.


Gathering Evidence

As you can see, the coroner is not normally required to visit the place of death. The coroner reviews reports of these investigations, determining if an inquest should be held. In some instances, he may travel to regional centres for major cases.

Forensic pathologists determine the cause of a sudden death after conducting a post-mortem examination. If a family opposes the examination, the coroner may overrule that decision, having weighed up the sometimes competing interests of the family and the needs of the public.


During an inquest, the coroner hears evidence of the circumstances surrounding the death from witnesses, the police, or expert witnesses such as pathologists. The coroner considers all the evidence and prepares a report of his findings that is made available to the public.

'An inquest enables me to comment on matters of public health and safety, preventing the repetition of unnecessary, tragic deaths. It also provides answers to families and to the community and helps to dispel rumours. Summaries of some of my findings are contained in the annual report for the Coroner's Court,' says Mr Hope.


Two Thousand Reported Deaths

'With over 1,600 reported deaths last year, it's a job that sets minds at ease and it has enormous potential for doing good.'


On the other hand, Mr Hope says it's not always easy explaining to a family that there is a need for an autopsy when there are unusual circumstances surrounding a death.

'With emotions running high, it's up to me to ensure that the situation remains under control. I need to be firm, but remain compassionate,' says Mr Hope.

The coroner also has an educational function.

'It's important to explain to various groups in the community the nature of our work.'


Mr Hope explains why the coroner comes from a legal background, not a medical or scientific background:

'Many of our investigations aren't about medical issues. If a death results from a mine collapsing, for example, the issues are likely to be about safety procedures and protocols. And, at the end of the day, we could have a Court hearing to determine the issues relating to a death. The preference, therefore, is for a lawyer with experience in conducting investigations and reviewing evidence.'

TV images aside, being a coroner is challenging and interesting, with much riding on Mr Hope's findings. With one State Coroner position in Western Australia, currently occupied by Mr Hope, employment prospects are slight.


Other Options

Related positions include a full-time Deputy State Coroner, magistrates in country areas who are coroners by virtue of their office, coroner's clerks who receive information on behalf of the coroner, and coroner's investigators who are police officers.

The State Coroner earns approximately $200,000 per annum.

To become the State Coroner, you must be appointed by the Governor. To be considered, you must be eligible to become a magistrate, which requires the completion of a Bachelor of Laws degree and a minimum of 5 years' experience as a lawyer, preferably with extensive litigation experience.

University entrance to all courses requires completion of Year 12 with a suitable TER (Tertiary Entrance Rank). Pre-requisite subjects may be required if enrolling in a combined degree.

Murdoch University offers a four-year Bachelor of Laws or a Bachelor of Laws combined with another degree program, such as communications, English, Asian studies, psychology, sociology, environmental science, commerce or economics. Combined degrees usually take five years to complete.

The University of Notre Dame Australia offers a four-year Bachelor of Laws degree, in addition to a very intensive three-year graduate program. Combined degrees, taking five years to complete, are also available with either Arts, Business or Commerce.

School leavers entering into a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Western Australia must complete a five-year combined degree with arts, economics, commerce, science or arts (Asian studies). Those who have already completed a university degree in another discipline may be able to complete the law qualification in three years.

Edith Cowan University also offers single (4 years full-time) and double (5 years full-time) law degree courses.

	Other Training Providers
	National Training Information Service website.
	TAFE Colleges
	Homepage links and contact details for all TAFE Colleges in WA.
	TAFE Handbook
	An online guide to full-time TAFE courses throughout WA.
	Universities
	Homepage links and contact details for all Universities in WA.

Coroners Court of Western Australia
Level 13 May Holman Centre 32 St George's Tce Perth WA 6000 Ph: (08) 9425 2900 Country Callers: 1800 671 994 (FREECALL) URL:www.coronerscourt.wa.gov.au

Coronial Investigation Unit, Western Australia Police Service
52 Kings Park Road West Perth WA 6005 Ph: (08) 9420 5200 URL:www.police.wa.gov.au

Forensic Division, Western Australia Police Service
2 Adelaide Terrace East Perth WA 6001 Ph: (08) 9222 1323

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