What happens when a death goes to inquest?

What is an inquest? An inquest is an investigation into the facts of how your relative has died. A coroner will look at different information and decide the cause of death. The coroner will tell the next of kin, or the personal representative, when your relative’s inquest will take place.

Do family members have to attend an inquest?

Inquests are held in open court. That means that any friends and family of the deceased are welcome. The Coroner will often require one particular member of the family to attend. This will be the person who made the background statement to the Police, which means it may not be the closest relative or next of kin.

Why have an inquest into a death?

An inquest is an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding a death. The purpose of the inquest is to find out who the deceased person was and how, when and where they died and to provide the details needed for their death to be registered.

Is there always an inquest after a post-mortem?

A coroner may decide to hold an inquest after a post-mortem has been completed. Samples of organs and tissues may need to be retained until after the inquest has finished. If the death occurred in suspicious circumstances, samples may also need to be kept by the police as evidence for a longer period.

Are inquest results public?

Inquests are open to the public and journalists are usually present. Inquests are not permitted to determine blame and the conclusion (verdict) will not identify someone as having criminal or civil liability.

What happens at the end of an inquest?

If more time is needed, the coroner will keep interested persons informed. It should be noted that a death cannot be registered until after the Inquest has been completed. However, the coroner is able to provide an interim certificate. This will allow the deceased’s family to hold a funeral and apply for probate.

Who are the people who attend an inquest?

Such people include: 1 A relative or partner of the deceased 2 Children of the deceased 3 Siblings, grandparents and any half brothers or sisters of the deceased 4 Professionals who may have had some relation to the deceased 5 Anyone else the coroner feels has an interest

Can a post mortem examination lead to an inquest?

An inquest is not usually held if a post-mortem examination of the body can explain the cause of death. Section 17 of the Coroners Act 1962 makes provision in law for the holding of an inquest into a death.

How does the coroner decide what to do at an inquest?

The Coroner decides which witnesses should give evidence at the inquest and the order in which they should give their evidence. Evidence must be presented so as to provide a logical sequence of the circumstances surrounding the death. The post-mortem result establishes the medical cause of death.

How long does it take for an inquest to take place?

The inquest cannot take place until at least six weeks after the death. Witnesses may need to attend the inquest to testify on the circumstances and cause of the death. When a jury is present at an inquest, it is the jury rather than the Coroner who delivers the verdict.

What is the purpose of an inquest into a death?

If a person dies and the death cannot be explained, an inquest may be held to establish the facts of the death, such as where and how the death occurred. An inquest is an official, public enquiry, led by the Coroner (and in some cases involving a jury) into the cause of a sudden, unexplained or violent death.