Reliability of ICD-10 External Cause of Death Codes in the National Coroners Information System (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10Th Revision ) (Report‪)‬

Introduction Injury remains the leading cause of death of Australians aged 1 to 44 years of age (Kreisfeld, Newson & Harrison 2004). Data on the nature, extent and determinants of fatal injury can inform injury prevention policy, priority setting and the allocation of research and development funds (Mathers et al. 2005). All unexpected deaths, including those resulting from injury, are legally required to be reported to the coroner for investigation (Freckelton & Ranson 2006). Since July 2000 (January 2001 in Queensland), all deaths reported to and investigated by coronial offices in Australia have been recorded in the National Coroners Information System (NCIS)--a world first, Internet-based data storage and retrieval system.