To ask the Minister of Health (i) how his Department records suspected suicides linked to domestic abuse; and (ii) whether he intends to improve data collection in this area.

The Department of Health does not have responsibility for the recording of deaths in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)which falls under the remit of the Department of Finance are responsible for the collation of death statistics. The outcome of the coronial investigation, including the formulation of the cause of death, the recorded study category and the NISRA coding process reflects the statutory focus on how the deceased died, rather than why they died. Any decisions around enhancing data collection, for example through academic research, would require consideration by the Coroners Service.

The Coroner, an independent judicial office holder, investigates unexpected, sudden, violent, or unnatural deaths to establish the cause of death and investigates based on the individual circumstances of each death. Each case reported to the Coroner is considered on a case-by-case basis. The Coroner has a statutory obligation to determine, as far as is possible, on the balance of probabilities, the medical cause of death and the four statutory questions, namely who the deceased was, when and where they died and how the deceased came by their death, taking into account all relevant, available material. Coronial findings are evidence-based at the civil standard, not on the basis of suspicions.

An inquest will be held where the Coroner considers it is necessary. The Coroner is legally required to focus on answering the four statutory questions, including ‘how’ rather than ‘why’ the deceased person died (albeit all relevant prevailing circumstances including mental health, situational stressors and any other relevant factors may be determined by the Coroner to fall within the scope of the inquest).