Findings of an inquest All depositions, post-mortem reports and verdict records are preserved by the Coroner and made available to the public. When the proceedings have been completed, a verdict is provided in relation to the identity of the deceased, and how, when and where the death occurred.

Are inquest findings made public?

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. Inquests are open to the public and the media. ...

Can I view inquest results?

After an inquest has concluded an interested person can ask the coroner for the recording of any inquest held in public (this includes pre-inquest review hearings). ... The coroner can charge a fee for producing a transcript. Other people who are not interested persons can apply to the coroner for a copy of a record.

Are coroners findings public?

The majority of Coroner's findings following an inquest are available to the public. However, individual documents in a coronial file are only available to persons or organisations with an appropriate interest in the coronial matter.

How do I get a copy of a coroners report?

If you want a written copy of the full report you need to ask the coroner's officer or to write to the Coroner concerned and they may charge a fee. Some Coroners prefer to send the report to a doctor to explain and discuss the findings with you.

A guide to Coroners' Inquests (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

29 related questions found

Are toxicology reports public?

The Autopsy Report is a public record. ... Autopsy report (when performed) Toxicology report (the final report, not the underlying data) Report of Investigation by Medical Examiner (RIME) – serves as medical examiner's summary of the facts and circumstances surrounding a decedent's death.

Are coroner's reports public UK?

All coroner inquest records are closed to the public for 75 years, although next of kin can apply for access. Look for the coroner's name under the 'cause of death' column in a death certificate which indicates a coroner's inquest took place.

What verdict can a coroner give?

Possible outcomes include: natural causes; accident; suicide; unlawful or lawful killing; industrial disease and open verdicts (where there is insufficient evidence for any other verdict). Sometimes a coroner uses a longer sentence describing the circumstances of the death, which is called a narrative verdict.

Where are inquests held?

Where will the inquest be held? Usually the coroner where your relative died will do the investigation. Sometimes the investigation is done by a coroner in a different area. If an investigation is transferred to a coroner in a different area, the new coroner will let you know.

Do families attend 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.

What does an open verdict mean in an inquest?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The open verdict is an option open to a coroner's jury at an inquest in the legal system of England and Wales. The verdict means the jury confirms the death is suspicious, but is unable to reach any other verdicts open to them.

What is a narrative verdict in an inquest?

narrative verdict in British English

noun. law. (in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) a verdict delivered at the end of an inquest that reports the circumstances of a death, used instead of one of the standard brief verdicts such as ' unlawful killing'

How do I find autopsy reports?

A good place to start is with the medical examiner's office or website. Contact the medical examiner's office to ascertain what form is required to request a copy of the autopsy report. In most cases, the request will need to be in writing and may need to be made on a county form.

When no cause of death is found?

If no cause of death is discovered when the report is written, it is usually stated to be 'unascertained' or 'unascertainable'. In general, an unascertainable death would be where the pathologist is unable to establish a cause of death.

How long does it take for a coroner's report?

A post-mortem will be carried out as soon as possible, usually within 2 to 3 working days of a person's death. In some cases, it may be possible for it to take place within 24 hours.

Why would an inquest be discontinued?

An inquest may be stopped (adjourned) when the Coroner hears any evidence which gives him/her cause to believe the death may have been caused by an unlawful killing (through the commission of a criminal act).

What does misadventure mean at inquest?

Misadventure is where someone doing something lawful unintentionally kills another. The difference can be explained as accident reflecting death following an event over which there is no human control where as misadventure is an intended act but with unintended consequence.

What does inconclusive verdict mean?

it means that they will have to do extensive tests to find out why he died, inconclusive just means there is no obvious reason or foul play detected so bloods will have to be taken and this all takes time, they will hold his body for up to a week pending the results, my mums in the business and this is as much as she ...

Can you find coroners reports online?

There are no records of coroners' inquests available to view online.

How can I find out when someone died UK?

Your best bet is to start with the local parish records of where the deceased is buried if you know. After 1837, information began to be collected on a national basis. As such, your search may prove a great deal easier. Two sets of Death Certificate indexes exist in the UK.

How do I find out how someone died for free?

Fortunately, the Social Security Administration maintains a free and easily accessed database of virtually every death in the United States. Visit the web page for the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Enter the information about the person you're searching for in the SSDI search box.

How long does it take for a toxicology report to come back on a dead person?

However, in reality, while an autopsy is usually completed within a day or two after a death, the final results of the toxicology report may take four to six weeks or longer. Many factors play into the length of time needed to gather forensic toxicology test results, including: the need for confirmatory testing.

How do you find cause of death for someone?

First, Look in Newspapers, Hospital, Cemetery and Funeral Home Records. Hospital records can provide extremely valuable information about your ancestors and can give a cause of death when you can't find a certificate. And while these records are limited, there is a wider selection available than in the past.

Are death certificates public record?

Death certificates are not public records.

How long does it take to find out a cause of death?

The exam usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Many times, experts can figure out the cause of death in that time. But in other cases, you might have to wait until a lab can do more tests to look for signs of drugs, poisons, or disease. That can take several days or weeks.