Coronial Law and Practice in the Solomon Islands

“. Discovering the truth of a person‟s death is vitally important for the family, friends and the community of the deceased. The families of those whose lives are cut off by avoidable death want to spare others the same fate. Modern coroners are expected to recognise these needs and to respond thoughtfully and compassionately to families and communities affected by a sudden, unexpected and tragic death. Coroners operate in a multidisciplinary environment to undertake expert investigations into preventable deaths. These include deaths that would not have occurred but for systemic failures. The broader value of an inquest to the community includes uncovering the underlying causes of death, providing an independent review and investigation of the deaths of individuals in the care or custody of state agencies, making recommendations to avoid future fatalities, and assisting in personal and community grieving processes.” – Professor Ray Watterson1