What is a coroners inquest?
An inquest is an inquiry into the medical cause and circumstances of the death. It is held in public, sometimes with a jury. It is up to the coroner to organise this in a way that will best serve the public interest or that of the family relatives. An inquest will be held if: • the death was violent or unnatural; • the death was caused by an Industrial Disease; • the death occurred in prison or police custody; or • the cause of death remains uncertain after a post mortem examination. An inquest may still be held even in circumstances where the death occurred abroad (and the body is returned to Britain). If the body has been destroyed or is unrecoverable, a coroner can hold an inquest by order of the Secretary of State if the death is likely to have occurred in or near a coroners area of jurisdiction. When an inquest is held, the coroner must inform the following people: • the married partner of the deceased; • the nearest relative (if different); or • the personal representative (if di
