Jump to:
- What is the coroner service
- What deaths are investigated by the coroner
- The coroner’s investigation
- The body of the deceased
- Inquest hearings
- Inquest conclusions
- Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) process
- Complaints and challenging a coroner’s decision
An overview of the coroner service in England and Wales
In some cases, the coroner’s investigation (and inquest, if there is one) takes place alongside other investigations, reviews and legal processes. In other cases, the coroner must wait until such investigations have been completed. For example, a coroner cannot continue their investigation or hold an inquest until after any criminal proceedings (including a court trial) have finished.
A coroner’s investigation may also be delayed or suspended if there is a serious case review or a public inquiry. This Toolkit focuses on the coroner’s investigation only, not on other associated investigations, reviews or processes.
What is the coroner service
What deaths are investigated by the coroner
The coroner’s investigation
The body of the deceased
Inquest hearings
The coroner, she was lovely and said, ‘Do you want me to stop?’ She was really nice… I remember she said to me, at one time, they were going to go into his injuries, and she asked me if I wanted to leave the court. I should have done, but I didn’t. I wished I had done, now… she was very respectful.