The Forensic Medicine Centre
The ACT Forensic Medicine Centre (FMC) provides modern facilities for pathologists and technicians who undertake forensic medical services (including post-mortem examinations) on behalf of the ACT Coroner.
The FMC also provides forensic medical services for areas of Southern NSW surrounding the ACT on behalf of the NSW Coroner.
The FMC is managed by the ACT Courts and Tribunal.
What happens at the FMC?
At the FMC, a forensic pathologist, supported by mortuary technicians, will conduct a post-mortem examination. The coroner decides on the nature of the examination, and the views of the deceased person’s family are taken into consideration.
The forensic pathologist is a specialised doctor who conducts examinations on behalf of the coroner, and provides an opinion on the cause of death. Mortuary technicians are technical officers who help the forensic pathologist with post-mortem procedures, arrange for testing of samples, and coordinate release and identification processes for the coroner.
What is a post-mortem examination, and how long does it take?
A post-mortem examination is a thorough medical examination performed by a forensic pathologist. This examination is performed at the direction of a coroner, who may also order further tests to assist in determining the cause of death.
A post-mortem examination can involve a range of procedures, and is a crucial step in assisting the coroner to make findings about the manner and cause of death. A forensic or anatomical pathologist will conduct the examination, assisted by mortuary technicians at the FMC.
The post-mortem examination may involve an external examination, medical imaging such as X-ray, CT scanning, toxicological testing, and can also include an internal examination, known as an autopsy. In some circumstances, samples may need to be sent to away to be tested in a specialist laboratory.
A deceased person is always treated with dignity and respect while in our care at the FMC.
Can I object to a post-mortem examination?
The investigating police officer will ask an immediate family member or nominated family representative for their views on a post-mortem examination. The family representative should let the police officer know as a matter of urgency if there are concerns about a post-mortem examination. The coroner can take those views into account when making decisions about the examination.
A coroner may decide not to direct a post-mortem examination if they are satisfied that the manner and cause of the death are sufficiently clear from the surrounding circumstances.
If the coroner decides to proceed with a post-mortem examination over the objection of the family, a member of the ACT Policing Coroners Team or court staff will be in contact with the family representative to explain the decision and the reasons it was made.
Post-mortem report
The pathologist may take some time to provide a report, but it is usually available to the court within a few months. Once the report has been received and considered, the coroner will decide whether there is enough information to make findings, or whether further investigative steps are required.
Depending on the type of examinations performed and the extent of testing to be conducted in a particular case, final reports are normally completed and received by the court within 12-16 weeks.
How long do deceased persons stay at the FMC?
The court understands that some religions have strict rules about the timing of burials and about how a deceased person must be handled. While every effort is made to accommodate these requirements, the authority to proceed with a post-mortem rests with the coroner, and examinations are conducted as quickly as is possible. We make every effort to release deceased persons from our care as soon as possible.
Most deceased persons are in the care of the FMC for only a few days, so families can start making funeral arrangements as soon as is practical for them.
The coroner will usually release the deceased person into the care of a chosen funeral home one business day after the post-mortem examination. If the release might be delayed, families will be advised.
Ordinarily, identification of a deceased person is done by a family member, who views the deceased person and signs a written statement attesting to the person’s identity. Sometimes that viewing will take place at the FMC. If identification needs to be confirmed by dental or DNA analysis, that may delay the release of the person.
Can I visit the FMC?
The FMC is not open to the public.
Families or friends of deceased persons may be asked to attend the FMC to formally identity a deceased person.
The FMC is not designed for the conduct of funeral services or viewing of deceased persons – these events will normally by the funeral director at their own premises.
In accordance with a Coronial Practice Direction, the Chief Coroner has approved certain types of educational visits to the FMC. Any requests to observe a deceased person and/or autopsy will only be approved with the consent of the family of the deceased person and the approval of the court.
The FMC is a working facility and children will not be admitted.
How do I contact the FMC?
Although the FMC undertakes work on behalf of the ACT Coroner, families and friends of the deceased person will normally have very limited contact with the staff of the FMC. The primary contact for family and friends is ACT Policing and the ACT Coroners Office.
The FMC’s usual business hours are 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday. You can contact the FMC on (02) 6205 5545 or fmc@courts.act.gov.au.
Members of the public attending at the FMC unexpectedly, or without an appointment, will be refused entry.