Organ donation

An inquest is a legal inquiry into the medical cause and circumstances of a death.

It is held in public, sometimes with a jury, and is conducted by a coroner.

An inquest is done in cases where the death was violent or unnatural, took place in prison or in police custody, or when the cause of death is still uncertain after a post-mortem. 

The coroner is a doctor or lawyer responsible for investigating deaths in particular situations who can arrange for a post-mortem examination of the body, if necessary.  

An inquest is a legal inquiry into the causes and circumstances of a death. 

If death occurs in any of the following circumstances, the doctor may report it to the coroner: 

• After an accident or injury 
• Following an industrial accident 
• During a surgical operation 
• Before recovery from an anaesthetic 
• If the cause of death is unknown 
• If the death was violent or unnatural (e.g., suicide, accident, or overdose) 
• If the death was sudden and unexplained (e.g., sudden infant death (cot death)) 

More information about inquests can be found on INQUEST's website (see 'Resources and Information’).  

Personal experiences of inquests can be found in our sections 'Bereavement due to traumatic death' and 'Bereavement due to suicide'.