REGARDING your report (LET, April 2) on Muslims urging Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley coroner Andre Rebello to use 'discretion' in ordering post-mortem examinations.

I must point out that a coroner must be informed when the deceased was not seen by a doctor during the preceding 14 days.

The official must investigate all unusual deaths such as those resulting from accidents, suicide, abortion or drugs; those occurring during a surgical operation; violent deaths, ones caused by industrial poisoning and those involving suspicious circumstances.

It is the coroner as an individual who must decide on ordering autopsies and must take the responsibility when holding an inquest.

I hope Mr Rebello sees real sense and truly understands the distress caused during deaths and does not take advantage of his position for the pursuit of medical knowledge, but works closely with the community like other coroners and certainly like his predecessor, George Graham, did.

T MOMONIAT (Mr), Preston New Road, Blackburn.

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