A 'preliminary examination' under s 3(1) of the Coroners Act 2008 (Vic) does not require a physical examination of the body of the deceased; the collection and review of information, including medical records, alone constitutes a valid preliminary examination. No formal direction by a coroner is required before a preliminary examination can be conducted, in contrast to the express direction requirements for identification procedures (s 24) and autopsies (s 25). An appeal to the Court of Appeal from a single judge's determination of an appeal under Part 7 of the Coroners Act is an appeal by way of rehearing, but the Court confines its attention to alleged errors of fact or law rather than conducting a general review.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 1 later case that cites this judgment.
1 of the 1 citing case carries a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.