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the causes of uncertified deaths, which are often obscure,
his professional opinion and report would carry
less weight with the Coroner, and the community at
large, than that of one who had no medical training
whatever.
Furthermore, the knowledge that every case of uncertified
death was subject to medical investigation,
would in some measure deter men from crime, and in
some instances lead to its discovery.
Accordingly it has been recently proposed that the
Medical Officer of Health for the district should be
charged with the duty of enquiring into all uncertified
deaths with a view to certify forthwith all such
deaths as in his opinion do not require formal inquest
by a Coroner and Jury. It is further suggested that
to avoid conflict between the Medical Officer of Health
and the Coroner the latter should retain the power of
ordering an inquest in any case in which representations
were made to him.
The obvious and sufficient objection to this proposal
which could not be effected without legislation, is that
it gives to the Medical Officer of Health the determination
as to whether or not an inquest is necessary
in the greater number of uncertified deaths, and thus
trenches upon the office of the Coroner, whose duty it
has been for centuries to enquire into the causes of
sudden and violent deaths.