Coroners - sudden death investigations
The Coroner is a doctor or lawyer responsible for investigating deaths in particular situations and can also 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.
The Coroner (England and Wales) or Procurator Fiscal (Scotland) has a duty to investigate all sudden and unexplained deaths, as well as deaths in suspicious circumstances. Deaths are usually reported to the Coroner or Procurator Fiscal by the police, a doctor or the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Further information on the role and responsibilities of the coroner can be found by visiting Directgov - coroners, post-mortems and inquests.