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<p /> <p>Information on the average number of days taken by coroners to release the
body of a homicide victim is not held centrally. This information could only be obtained
by inspection of individual case files at each coroner’s office before collating the
information, and this could only be done at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>In
July 2013 we implemented reforms in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 together with
new coroner regulations and rules aimed at improving standards and achieving greater
consistency in coroner services. Regulation 20 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations
2013 requires a coroner to release the body for burial or cremation as soon as is
reasonably practicable. Where this cannot be done within 28 days, the coroner must
notify the next of kin or personal representative of the reason for the delay.</p><p>
</p><p>In February 2014 we also published the statutory “Guide to Coroner Services”
which explains the standards of service that can be expected during a coroner’s investigation
and what action can be taken if these are not met.</p>
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