Coroners Act 2009

A pathologist may carry out (or arrange for another person to carry out) a preliminary examination in relation to the remains of a deceased person even if a post mortem investigation direction has not been given authorising the examination.

A preliminary examination in relation to the remains of a deceased person may only involve any one or more of the following—

a visual examination of the remains (including a dental examination),

the collection and review of information, including personal and health information relating to the deceased person or the death of the person,

the taking of samples of bodily fluid, including blood, urine, saliva, vitreous humour and mucus samples from the remains (which may require an incision to be made) and the testing of those samples,

the imaging of the remains, including the use of computed tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan), x-rays, ultrasound and photography,

the taking of samples from the surface of the remains (including swabs from wounds and inner cheek, hair samples and samples from under fingernails and from the skin) and the testing of those samples,

the fingerprinting of the remains,

any other procedure that is not a dissection, the removal of tissue or invasive in any other way.