Suicide: the Coroner as Catalyst (IN: Preventing Youth Suicide: Proceedings of a Conference Held 24-26 July 1990, edited by S McKillop)

Coroners around Australia & throughout the world are said not to have come to grips with suicide. Reasons for this are briefly discussed. The new approach, as differentiated from traditional British methods, of the Victoria coroner’s office is described in terms of functions, structure, process, & expertise. The benefits of the new process are outlined. The ultimate benefit is the informing of a community & the conversion of specialist knowledge & understanding to public learning, understanding, & consideration of prevention.