18Functions and powers of State Forensic Pathologist

18 Functions and powers of State Forensic Pathologist

(1)  The functions of the State Forensic Pathologist under this Act are as follows:

(a) to oversee and co-ordinate forensic pathology services in the State;

(b) to undertake coronial autopsies if requested by a coroner or arrange for the undertaking of coronial autopsies by approved pathologists;

(c) to issue guidelines to approved pathologists for undertaking coronial autopsies;

(d) [Section 18 Subsection (1) amended by No. 61 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:24 Nov 1999] to attend, when requested by a coroner, a coroner's associate or a coroner's officer, at scenes of homicides and other suspicious deaths throughout the State;

(e) to provide expert evidence to magistrates, coroners and the courts;

(f) to ensure that the provision of forensic pathology services is administered and operated efficiently;

(g) [Section 18 Subsection (1) amended by No. 6 of 2003, s. 11, Applied:01 Jul 2003] such other functions as are imposed on the State Forensic Pathologist under this Act or as are prescribed by the regulations.

(2)  The State Forensic Pathologist may do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with, or incidental to, the performance of the State Forensic Pathologist's functions under this Act.