CORONER Tony Murray yesterday reproduced in full an address to the inquest by Blair Duncan as part of his findings into the death of her sister, Yasmin, 18.
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It outlined the circumstances of how the family found out about Yasmin’s death on March 5, 2010.
Older sister Jade Duncan received a phone call from Yasmin’s friend about 6pm saying there had been an accident.
Attempts were made to ring Yasmin before Jade finally rang the mother of the Daniel Shiels, who was driving.
Jade was told Yasmin died that afternoon.
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The driver’s family had been notified and the accident had been on television news, but the Duncan family had not been told.
It was left to Jade to inform her family of what had happened and police arrived about 7pm to tell them.
Mr Murray raised the issue of police notification to families of people killed and the matter was referred to senior NSW police management.
A response told of factors now challenging police as they go about investigations into deceased persons as crime scenes.
They include a desire and willingness of “normal” people and media outlets to use social media, thirst for “breaking news” generally, events that occur in small communities, extended coverage of phones and devices and bona fide media outlets using aviation, advanced camera technology and employing social network researchers.
Mr Murray said he had been advised of a possible alteration to the police handbook.