Discover
inquest
law
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Recent News
Aug. 12, 2024, 12:24 PM ET (ABC News (Australia))
Cleveland Dodd inquest hears Unit 18 promotional material and communications contained falsehoods
Aug. 2, 2024, 11:52 PM ET (CBC)
Inquest into woman's death in Kingfisher Lake First Nation hears from doctor who treated her
inquest, judicial inquiry by a group of persons appointed by a court. The most common type is the inquest set up to investigate a death apparently occasioned by unnatural means. Witnesses are examined, and a special jury returns a verdict on the cause of death. In England inquests are also required when there is loss or injury in a fire. The inquest is confined to common-law jurisdictions that have a coroner system.
Although the European civil-law system has a long tradition of the use of medical evidence and professional witnesses in court, it has no procedure similar to the inquest. See also coroner’s jury.