Coroner's reports were often necessary for sudden or suspicious deaths, accidents and fires.
Deaths occurring in public institutions were also investigated by the Coroner. In these cases a body could not be released for burial until the Coroner's certificate was issued. (A 'burial order'.)
Many of these records have been digitised and are held at the State Records of South Australia: Inquests and Police Reports to the Coroner. They range in time from 1839-1969.
The State Library holds printed indexes and guides to many of these records.
William Harcus, Congregational minister, newspaper editor, J.P. and coroner. (B 6350)