Coroners Act 2003

This section applies if a person, other than the owner of physical evidence, wants to access a physical evidence exhibit.

The person may access the physical evidence exhibit only if—

the coroner has given consent for the access; or

access to the physical evidence exhibit is necessary for the investigation or prosecution of an offence relating to a death and the person is—

a police officer; or

someone else authorised by a police officer to access the exhibit for the investigation or prosecution.

The coroner may consent to a person having access to a physical evidence exhibit only if—

the coroner is satisfied the person has a sufficient interest in the physical evidence exhibit; orExample—A person with a sufficient interest in a physical evidence exhibit might include a person at an inquest who wants to access a physical evidence exhibit to conduct a test on the exhibit.

the coroner—

considers the access is in the public interest; and

to the extent practicable, has consulted with and had regard to the views of a family member of the deceased person.

In this section—physical evidence exhibit means an exhibit, other than an investigation document, that was tendered at an inquest held by a coroner.