Post-mortem examination report and special examination report
20.—(1) A pathologist who has conducted or supervised any postmortem examination shall—
- (a) draw up, or cause to be drawn up, a report of the findings of the post-mortem examination and of the conclusions which he draws from it;
- (b) certify as to the medical cause of death; and
- (c) date and sign the report and send it to the Coroner who ordered the post-mortem examination.
(2) Where a person has been appointed under section 19(2)(b), he shall draw up a report of the findings of his special examination, date and sign the report and send it to the Coroner who ordered the post-mortem examination.
(3) The post-mortem examination report made under subsection (1) and any special examination report made under subsection (2) shall be admissible as evidence, and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein, at any inquiry held under this Act.
(4) The pathologist who conducted or supervised the post-mortem examination or any person appointed under section 19(2)(b), if summoned by the Coroner as a witness in an inquiry, may be asked to give evidence as to his opinion upon any matter arising out of the examination conducted or supervised by him and as to how in his opinion the deceased came by his death.
Power of Coroner to order exhumation
21. A Coroner may, and if directed to do so by the Public Prosecutor under section 26(2) shall, order the exhumation of a body, or the remains of a body, for the purpose of discharging any of his duties, or exercising any of his powers under this Act.
Power of Coroner to order release for burial, cremation, etc.
22.—(1) Where a death which is, or appears to be, a reportable death has been reported to a Coroner and the body is in Singapore, the Coroner shall have control of the body until such time as he issues an order to release the body under subsection (3).
