Page 115 - When Things Go Wrong

21. Where possible, investigating agencies should collaborate in the questioning
of witnesses. A lead interviewer should aim to gather evidence that can satisfy
the objectives of multiple investigations and form part of a cross-jurisdictional
dossier. Interviewers should employ cognitive interviewing techniques with
witnesses who have suffered trauma, to elicit the fullest possible evidence in a
single session (paras 3.14 and 3.16).

22. Where appropriate, for example with experts and eyewitnesses who have not
suffered trauma, witness interviews should be video recorded (para 3.18).

23. Evidence-gathering teams should undergo training on trauma-informed
practice and communication with those who have suffered catastrophic
bereavement (para 3.19).

Early participation of bereaved people and survivors

24. The Chief Coroner should issue guidance defining “next of kin”, and the term
should be explained in communications from the coroner’s office to bereaved
people (para 3.27).

25. Where a coroner has been unable to identify the deceased’s next of kin or
personal representative, they should consider nominating an organisation with
sufficient expertise to act as the advocate for the deceased and receive
notifications regarding the investigation. (para 3.29).

26. Where a coroner decides that an investigation should be discontinued, the
coroner’s office should ensure that the next of kin or personal representative is
always informed of the reasons for the decision within seven days (para 3.30).

27. Coroners should if possible provide the ‘Guide to Coroner Services for
Bereaved People’ in conjunction with the notification of next of kin or personal
representative (para 3.36).

28. The ‘Guide to Coroner Services for Bereaved People’ should point out that
officials are likely to be legally represented. The Guide should also be amended

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