NCJ Number
121743
Date Published
1989
Length
61 pages
Annotation
This report marks the beginning of comprehensive and annual reporting on the determinations of Coroners Courts, whose true value will be realized over time as trends begin to appear which will help promote rational debate about social policy.
Abstract
The most frequently listed causes of death aside from natural causes (which account for 61.3 percent) are traffic accidents (14.1 percent), suicides (10.8 percent), non-traffic accidents, accidental drug deaths (3.5 percent), homicides (1.8 percent), and deaths in custody (18 cases). The Coroners Act of 1980 specifies how coronial cases will be handled. The coroner may examine death if one of eight situations exists. These include if a person dies a violent death or a sudden death with unknown causes. Under certain circumstances, an inquest is mandatory. The Coroners Act of 1980 also states that when an inquest is held the findings must include whether the person had died and, if so, his identity, the date and place of death, and with a few exceptions, the manner and cause of death. Accidental drug deaths occurred mainly in younger age groups with illegal drugs involved in 68 percent and alcohol in 43 percent. The actual cause of death may have been from a combination of drugs and alcohol. The most common victims of traffic accidents were males between the ages of 19 and 24 years old. Blood alcohol concentrations equal or greater than 0.5, the legal limit for driving, were involved in 19.7 percent of all traffic fatalities. Non-traffic accidents are divided into industrial accidents, domestic accidents, and sporting and recreational accidents. The majority of non-traffic accidents occurred in the 19-24 years and over 74 years age groups. Alcohol was involved in many non-traffic accidents. Homicide occurred in all age groups and both men and women were victims. Shooting, stabbing, and assault predominated as the manners of death. The majority of deaths by natural causes occurred in the over 59 years age group. Drugs and alcohol were commonly involved in deaths in police custody, but not in prison deaths. 75 tables.