Dealing with death: a UK perspective

There are about half a million deaths in England and Wales annually (MoJ, 2016). Most of these deaths are from natural causes, whether that be through natural illness, unfortunate circumstances or simply 'old age'. Approximately 55% of deaths can be accounted for when a medical practitioner issues a document certifying the death as being due to known medical conditions.

Of this half a million deaths, about 45% will not be clear cut (MOJ, 2014). These will be cases where a doctor is unable to immediately identify the cause of death and so referral is made to the coroner for investigation and usually attended by the police who conduct an initial investigation at the scene on behalf of the coroner.