Accessing coronial documents
Magistrates Court - Coroners Court
Access for the public
Documents created during the investigation into a reportable death may include:
- a police report
- witness statements
- photographs
- expert reports
- an autopsy report
- a toxicology certificate
- the coroner’s findings.
Access to coronial documents is regulated by the Coroners Act 2003. During investigations these documents are excluded from the freedom of information process and can only be obtained with the coroner’s consent.
Most of the material contained on a coronial file is highly sensitive and may be graphic and distressing in nature. Therefore, information is only made available to those who have sufficient interest in the investigation, such as the immediate family of the deceased.
What should I do if I want to access coronial documents?
Applications for access to coronial documents must be in writing and include the following information:
- your name, address and daytime contact number
- the full name of the deceased and the date and location of their death
- your relationship to the deceased
- a list of the documents you are seeking. If you are unsure which documents you require please give examples of the type of information you wish to know or for further guidance please contact the coroner’s clerk at the magistrates court where the investigation is being conducted.
- your reason/s for wanting copies of the documents
The letter must be signed and include a copy of the family or interested party’s authority if you are acting on their behalf.
Please note that fees may apply for copies of documents.
When the coronial investigation is in progress:
If you want to access coronial documents while the investigation is in progress you should send a letter to the coroner conducting the investigation. If you are unsure which coroner/magistrate’s court this is please contact the Office of the State Coroner for assistance.
The timeframe for receiving documents depends on local administration processes. Please contact the coroner’s clerk at the Magistrates Court handling the investigation for further guidance.
When the coronial investigation is closed and the findings have been issued:
Please address your letter to the State Coroner and send it to the Office of the State Coroner.
The timeframe for receiving documents from the Office of the State Coroner is generally two weeks. However, this timeframe may vary depending on how old the case is and the nature or volume of the requested documents.
When coronial files are over 30 years old:
Closed coronial files are transferred into the custody of the Queensland State Archives once they are more than 30 years old and are not subject to the above approval processes. If you require access to one of these files you should contact the Queensland State Archives for assistance.
Access for researchers
Australia has a national internet based data storage and retrieval system for coronial cases called the National Coroners Information System (NCIS). Information about every death reported to a Queensland coroner since 2001 is stored in the system. Approved research and government agencies can use the NCIS to obtain information. Please visit the NCIS website for further assistance.
If the information provided by NCIS is insufficient for your research, or you are unable to access information via NCIS, then you can apply directly to the Office of the State Coroner for access to coronial documents for research purposes.
Access to coronial documents for research purposes is regulated by the Coroners Act 2003.
Coronial documents will not be released while an investigation is in progress.
If the state coroner is satisfied that you are a genuine researcher you may be allowed to access the coronial documents.
How can I apply to become an approved genuine researcher?
A genuine researcher is someone who wishes to obtain copies of coronial documents for the purposes of conducting a research project. This category does not apply to “one off research”, for example a writer researching a case for a book.
To apply to be a genuine researcher you should in the first instance telephone the Office of the State Coroner. You will be asked to provide information about the following:
- your professional/educational qualifications and what your research entails
- the background and work performed by your organisation
- the aims and anticipated outcomes of the research.
If it appears that you may fall into the category of a genuine researcher you will be sent an information package. Please complete your application as directed and send it to the Office of the State Coroner.
Last updated Thursday, 8 May 2008 14:02
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