The role of Coroners in perinatal death investigation in high-income countries: a scoping review

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dc.contributor.authorShetty, Varsha N.
dc.contributor.authorO’Donoghue, Keelin
dc.contributor.authorDonnelly, Mary
dc.contributor.authorLeitao, Sara
dc.contributor.funderFéileacáin
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-09T11:50:03Z
dc.date.available2026-07-09T11:50:03Z
dc.date.issued2026-06-23
dc.description© 2026, the Author(s), published by De Gruyter. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
dc.description.abstractIntroduction The primary role of a Coroner is to investigate unexpected deaths. However, the global literature on Coroner’s role in perinatal death cases is limited. Content This study used the Joanna Briggs Institute framework and comparative law methodology to evaluate existing literature from high-income countries and jurisdictions (including where relevant states or provinces). A dual-source approach reviewed peer-reviewed and grey literature across 12 electronic databases, alongside national legislation from jurisdictions with a Coronial or equivalent system. Summary After analysing 24 countries with Coronial or equivalent systems and legislation available in English, the study found that only 12 of these countries had Coroners investigating perinatal deaths, and only one country mandated reporting of all perinatal death cases. A significant gap was found in Coroner’s role in perinatal death cases through legislative sources and peer-reviewed literature. Outlook While global uniformity in Coronial law is not feasible, countries should adopt standardised reporting guidelines, training, and expertise to ensure consistent and high-quality death investigations. Further research is needed on holistic approaches, examining the emotional, social, and systemic factors involved in perinatal death inquiries, understanding their impacts on families, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders, and encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure thorough and comprehensive investigations.en
dc.description.sponsorshipResearch funding: Varsha N. Shetty’s PhD studentship is funded by Féileacáin, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland. Féileacáin did not have any part in the conception, design, planning or conduct of this project.
dc.format.extent34
dc.format.extent2994895
dc.identifier.authororcidShetty, Varsha N.
dc.identifier.authororcidO’Donoghue, Keelin§0000-0002-4616-2887
dc.identifier.authororcidDonnelly, Mary§0000-0001-7612-9722
dc.identifier.authororcidLeitao, Sara
dc.identifier.citationShetty, V N, O’Donoghue, K, Donnelly, M & Leitao, S 2026, 'The role of Coroners in perinatal death investigation in high-income countries: a scoping review', Journal of Perinatal Medicine, pp. 1-34. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpm-2025-0702
dc.identifier.doi10.1515/jpm-2025-0702
dc.identifier.endpage34
dc.identifier.issn0300-5577
dc.identifier.journaltitleJournal of Perinatal Medicine
dc.identifier.otherORCID: /0000-0001-7612-9722/work/218434909
dc.identifier.startpage1
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/19037
dc.identifier.urlhttps://doi.org/10.1515/jpm-2025-0702
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightscc_by
dc.subjectSDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
dc.subjectCoroner
dc.subjectMedical examiner
dc.subjectPerinatal death
dc.subjectPerinatal mortality
dc.subjectStillbirth
dc.subject[INFANT]
dc.subject[LanguageLiteratureCulture]
dc.subject[Medicine]
dc.subjectinvestigation
dc.titleThe role of Coroners in perinatal death investigation in high-income countries: a scoping reviewen
dc.typeArticle (Peer reviewed)
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