Expert: Sam Beckett - 9/13/2006

Question
if a 5 year old child's toxicology report comes back with a medicine that she was not prescribed,(oxycodone) shouldn't this be a red flag for the pathologist and toxicologist, especially when the parents are the ones questioning it, i was told that a police should have been filed by the coroner, is this true? thanks

Answer
Hi,
Firstly, I would like to apologise for the delay in answering your question - I have been embroiled in a case that has unfortunately distracted me from all else.
Now, to your question. When a coroner completes an investigation it is thier responsibility to file a report to the relevant authorities - this may be the police if their findings are indicative of an unnatural death. If the parents are questioning the circumstances surrounding the death and the coroner concurs that there are some remaining questions it may be necessary to hold an inquest during which evidence will be gathered and the circumstances fully investigated.
I hope this has been helpful, if you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact me again.
Best wishes,
Sam