PhD Completed in 2010 - 'Congratulation Megan'

Dr Megan Laugher Doctorate of Psychology (DPsych) mlaugher@postoffice.sandybay.utas.edu.au

Thesis Title:
'Influence of non-evidentiary factors in coronial verdicts in cases of equivocal death'

Abstract

The current study has been devised in light of the recent literature regarding discrepancies in coronial decision making processes. It has been suggested that some of the sources of the variability in death certification might be the result of factors including: differences in investigation procedures and the type of information sought; lack of suspicion regarding manner of death; pressure from victims families; social stigma; case difficulty; inaccurate recording procedures; inadequate concepts of manner of death (e.g. suicide); and variability among officials and systems (Jobes & Josselson, 1987; Jobes, Casey, Berman & Wright, 1991). While previous literature has been able to demonstrate discrepancies in coronial verdicts, few have systematically investigated the non-evidentiary variables that may be influencing the coronial decision making process. The current study will expand upon Robertson's (2005) study of British coroners' decisions by conducting research in the context of the Australian coronial and policing systems. Robertson (2005) reviewed 29 cases of equivocal death decisions by a Merseyside coroner. It was found that where the coroner's verdicts were contrary to the bulk of case evidence (eg., where the coroner determined accident when statistical analysis of case evidence predicted suicide), social factors such as the victim's age (ie., child versus adult) influenced the coroner's final determination. This study will utilise a similar methodology to Robertson (2005) but will aim to use a greater number of cases of equivocal deaths. Furthermore, it will extend on these findings by using an experimental approach to investigate the influence of these variables in a final verdict when presented in a mock case. It is hoped that the results of this study may contribute to the development of set of guidelines or framework for coronial decision making.

Supervisors

Dr Tess Crawley (School of Psychology, UTAS)
Associate Professor Clive Skilbeck (School of Psychology, UTAS)
Associate Professor Roberta Julian (TILES/School of Government, UTAS)