Direct access to NCIS data is available to death investigators with a role in investigating reportable deaths. Access is provided via NCIS Online, the database's web interface. NCIS access is subject to approval by the state or chief coroner of the requesting jurisdiction. All death investigators must sign a confidentiality undertaking prior to being provided with their account details.
Death investigator means a coroner, forensic pathologist, toxicologist, police assistant or other medical, scientific or legal professional who is tasked with assisting a coroner (or magistrate acting as a coroner) with the investigation of a reported death. This includes support staff within court offices, and a police officer who while not attached to a police coronial unit, provides support to coroners in specific cases at the approval of the relevant coroner.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the definition of death investigator above.
Access level
Standard death investigator access includes:
- Home jurisdiction: Level 1+ - Access to identifying data on both open and closed cases.
- Other jurisdictions: Level 1 - Access to non-identifying data on open cases and identifying data on closed cases. Case reports available on closed cases only.
- Restricted conditions apply to Western Australian data.
User responsibilities
All death investigators must:
- sign a confidentiality undertaking
- keep login details safe and secure, and not disclose them to others
- not disclose any information obtained from the NCIS except for the sole purpose of approved access
- only use the system for your approved purpose.
Death investigators seeking to undertake research must apply to become an approved NCIS researcher.
Training and support
Training and support is available to all death investigators to equip users with the knowledge and skills to best utilise the NCIS for their approved purpose.
Usage auditing
The NCIS Unit conducts usage audits to examine the searches performed by a user and cases accessed to verify that usage is in line with the approved purpose. User audits form part of compliance monitoring activities undertaken by the NCIS Unit. These audits are performed quarterly and users are selected randomly. The NCIS Unit may contact a user for further information when examining audit results.
Request access
Request standard death investigator access - Individual
Download and complete the request form, providing as much detail as possible.
To submit a request
Email the following information to ncis@ncis.org.au (External link):
- completed request form.
The NCIS Unit will review your request and contact you regarding next steps.
Request standard death investigator - Bulk request
Coronial courts may submit bulk requests for death investigator access using the below form. Bulk requests must contain a minimum of five or more staff. Use the individual form for four or less staff.
Download and complete the request form, providing as much detail as possible.
To submit a request
Email the following information to ncis@ncis.org.au (External link):
- completed request form.
The NCIS Unit will review your request and contact you regarding next steps.