Department of Justice

Community Justice and Public Safety

Coroner's Service

The Chief Coroner investigates unexpected or unnatural deaths and based on the results of the Coroner's Inquest, recommends ways to prevent similar untimely tragedies and save lives.

Investigating a Death

When investigating any death, a coroner establishes:

  1. the identity of the deceased;
  2. when the death occurred;
  3. where the death occurred;
  4. how the death occurred, i.e. the medical cause of death; and
  5. by what means the death occurred, i.e. the circumstances surrounding it.

Establishing these five facts is intended to ensure that no event surrounding the death is overlooked, concealed or ignored.

A death may be classified as natural, accidental, suicide, homicide or undetermined. The final cause-of-death determination may require months of investigation.

Inquests and Judgements of Inquiry

Although its day-to-day functions dwell on death, the Yukon Coroner's Service is designed to "protect the living" by preventing similar deaths in the future. Coroners pass on inquest jury recommendations to appropriate groups and individuals, including the public, agencies, institutions and ministries of various levels of government, and monitor the response to the recommendations.

A public inquest is a formal hearing into the events surrounding a death or deaths, attended by a jury, where subpoenaed evidence is heard. Parties with substantial, direct interest may also participate. Inquests may be held into deaths that arouse specific local concern or may raise social issues with province-wide impact, such as spousal abuse, the safety of children or fire prevention. In certain circumstances, inquests are mandatory, such as when an individual dies in a correctional facility or while in police custody. Inquest recommendations can effect the whole territory.

On the basis of an inquest's findings, the jury involved usually presents a number of recommendations, which are then forwarded by the chief coroner to appropriate agencies for consideration.

A judgement of inquiry is a quasi-judicial process conducted privately without a jury. This document provides a summary of all the facts surrounding the death and is another mechanism for making recommendations for prevention.

Altogether, inquests and judgements of inquiry clarify countless facts and generate many recommendations every year. Although they are non-binding, each recommendation is designed to prevent similar deaths in the future. They also inform the public of what has been learned through the investigation and/or inquest process.

Related Responsibilities

In response to the needs of the community at large, the chief coroner carries out a number of related responsibilities, including:

  • acting as an intermediary between the medical and legal community to ensure organ retrieval is carried out appropriately;
  • providing information and education to government agencies, medical and legal professionals and the public through speaking and training presentations; and
  • providing training, supervision and directions to coroners and police officers related to the investigations of deaths.

Contact Coroner's Office

Location:
206C Lowe St.
Whitehorse

Mailing Address:
Chief Coroner, Coroner's Office
Department of Justice (J-10A)
Government of Yukon
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 2C6
 
Phone: (867) 667-5317
Toll free (In Yukon): 1-800-661-0408, local 5317
Fax: (867) 456-6826