A Coroner may conduct initial enquiries in order to decide whether to investigate the death. In some cases those enquiries, such as a discussion with the deceased's Doctor, make ti clear that the deceased died form a known and natural disease or condition and there are no unusual circumstances. The Coroner does not need to investigate further and the Doctor will be asked to sign a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (MCCD). In these cases the Coroner will advise the Registrar or Births and Deaths that, although he or she was made aware of the death, no further investigation is needed. The family can then make an appointment with the Registrar to register the death.
However the Coroner may decided that he or she needs to ask a suitable practitioner, normally a Pathologist, to examine the body and carry out a post mortem examination to help find out the cause of death.
