Is the issue of a death cert. delayed if the death is suspicious, unexplained?

[Keith Sherwood]

Hi, Everyone,
Can anyone tell me whether the issue of a certificate of death is nowadays delayed if there are any suspicious, unexplained factors surrounding that death...?
I have in front of me the death certificate of five year old Caroline SHERWOOD, who died on 6th March 1853, death registered on 31st March.
Cause of death: "Wilful murder by her mother".
Now, I know all there is to know through reading about this case, and also that there is a family connection.  So I know that the little girl's mother, also Caroline, was not found guilty of this murder until that July 1853, at Lewes Crown Court, the murder having taken place in Hove, near Brighton.
If this happened today, surely a doctor or coroner would not pre-empt the verdict of the jury in a subsequent trial on a death certificate?
But would this have been the norm for those times then?
Very best wishes,
Keith

[Jebber]

As a matter of interest, I have a similar sequence, a death certificate for a murder victim in which the cause is stated as Wilful Murder by, and the perpetrator named, although yet to he apprehended. The murder took place on the 22 May 1870 and was registered on the 17 June, but the trial was not until the 22 July.

In that case he was found guilty and was hanged.

So it would appear to be quite normal at that time.

[AntonyMMM]

The cause of death would reflect the verdict of the inquest (which is separate from any criminal proceedings). At that time it wasn't uncommon to name a suspect, but that no longer happens.

[Keith Sherwood]

Very interesting, AntonMMM,
Hadn't realised that the coroner's inquest was a separate issue in those days and could contain a different verdict to the criminal proceedings that presumably usually happened at a later date.
And Jebber, the mother who strangled her own child in this case was condemned to hang, but this sentence later was respited to transportation by the Home Secretary or whatever his proper title was then, Lord Palmerston...
Keith

[Jebber]

Keith,

There was no chance of a reprieve in the case I researched, the  killer had battered to death six other members of the family at the same time.

[AntonyMMM]

To answer your original question...

Can anyone tell me whether the issue of a certificate of death is nowadays delayed if there are any suspicious, unexplained factors surrounding that death...?

Only if it goes to inquest -  because then the death can't be registered until the conclusion of the inquest proceedings. Historically that may have only been a few days at most, but nowadays there can be a long delay so the registration will appear in a later quarter or even year than you would expect.

[Keith Sherwood]

Thanks again, Jebber and Antony for those further responses...
I just didn't like the coroner's use of the word "wilful" in 1853, but I suppose it had another meaning and significance then.  "Wilful" can almost mean something much less, as in "spiteful" perhaps today...
Keith

[Jebber]

The way things and events are described change over time.  Others may not agree, but I would take it as being premeditated, rather than in the heat of the moment.

[stanmapstone]

From the OED.
Wilful: Done on purpose or wittingly; purposed, deliberate, intentional; not accidental or casual.......Also transf. of the agent, as wilful murderer, one who commits wilful murder.

Stan