The Inquest Handbook

The book explains the role and objectives of the inquest. It highlights the forms of investigations in several types of fatal accident and gives guidance about the central legal issues and matters of case preparation and presentation. Starting with chapters on the law and the lawyer's preparation, it then discusses what the police do and why, the place of the autopsy, coroner's enquiries and recommendations, and the reasons for and extent of media interest. It covers the forms of investigations in road accidents, natural disasters, drug overdoses, medical or surgical mishaps, pathology and sudden unexpected infant death. It emphasises that inquests are collaborative ventures, often multi-disciplinary events and multi-party, too.