| 释义 |
inquest
n. An inquiry into a death the cause of which is unknown. An inquest is conducted by a coroner and often requires the decision of a jury of 7–11 jurors. It must be held in the case of a sudden death whose cause is unknown or suspicious, a death occurring in prison, or when the coroner reasonably suspects that the death was caused by violent or unnatural means. Inquests are not, however, criminal proceedings; witnesses are usually cross-examined only by the coroner and the strict laws of evidence do not apply. If unlawful homicide is suspected, and criminal proceedings are likely, the coroner will usually adjourn the inquest (and must do so if requested to by a chief police officer). If the inquest jury find that a particular person caused the death in circumstances amounting to an unlawful homicide, that person may stand trial. It is an offence to dispose of a body with the intention of preventing an inquest being held. |