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Inquests
An
inquest is inquisitorial in its procedure. A coroner chooses
and questions each witness can allow or prevent questions
being put by others.
The
purpose of an inquest is to find out:
- who
the deceased was;
- how,
when, and where he/she met his/her death;
- the
particulars that need to be registered.
A
coroner's jury may not return a verdict of murder,
manslaughter, or infanticide.
Where
a person is suspected of a crime in connection with a death,
an inquest is usually opened to obtain evidence of identity
and cause of death, and is then adjourned until these
proceedings have been completed.
It
is the convention to report that a coroner, sitting with or
without a jury, returns a verdict. Fair, accurate, and
contemporaneous reports of inquest proceedings held
in public are protected by absolute privilege.
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