Medical examiners employed by health authorities should audit death certificates

doi:10.1136/bmj.318.7197.1559c

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Gordon Pledger, Medical referee. (pledger@mitford.freeserve.co.uk)

Oaktree Cottage, Mitford, Morpeth NE61 3PN

EDITOR—Horner may be right that there is an impending crisis in recruiting medical referees to crematoria, but I disagree with his assertion that abandoning the present system would be hazardous.1 Presumably the hazard is failing to detect a homicide, but the Brodrick committee concluded in 1971 that “secret homicide has not been a significant danger at any time in the past 50 years.”2

After 10 …