The Coroners
The role of coroners is to investigate certain deaths and fires to find out the identity of the person who died, the cause of the death or fire and, in some situations, the circumstances surrounding the death or fire.
Coroners also hold inquests in some cases and may recommend ways to help prevent similar deaths and fires in the future.
In Victoria, the State Coroner must be a judge of the County Court and the Deputy State Coroner must be a magistrate.
Other coroners are usually magistrates or Australian lawyers who have been practising for at least five years.
There are currently eleven coroners based in Melbourne who investigate deaths and fires reported to the Coroners Court of Victoria.
All coroners are appointed to the position by the Governor in Council at the recommendation of the Attorney-General.