68FSenior police officer may establish scene for expected

68F Senior police officer may establish scene for expected coronial investigation (1) This section applies if— (a) a coroner is not available to decide whether to issue a coronial investigation scene order for a particular place; and

(b) a senior police officer believes on reasonable grounds that— (i) a coroner is likely to issue a coronial investigation scene order for the place; and (ii) it is necessary to preserve the integrity of anything found at the place that appears relevant to the death of a person. (2) The senior police officer may make a coronial investigation scene declaration for the place. (3) A coronial investigation scene declaration— (a) comes into force when it is made by the senior police officer; and (b) ends when whichever of the following happens first: (i) a coronial investigation order is issued for the place; (ii) the period of 24 hours after the declaration was made ends; and (c) may include any conditions on the exercise of a power mentioned in subsection (4) that the senior police officer considers appropriate. (4) While a declaration is in force, a police officer at the place may, subject to any condition in the declaration, exercise any power mentioned in section 68E (Coronial investigation scene powers) as if the declaration were a coronial investigation scene order. (5) A coronial investigation scene declaration may be made in writing or orally. (6) However, a declaration made orally must, as soon as practicable, be made in writing. (7) In this section: senior police officer means the chief police officer or another police officer of or above the rank of superintendent.