Inquests

In this section

You can read about Inquests, what they are and how AAFDA can help.

If you have been told that an Inquest is to take place and you would like to talk to us, you can call or email using the links at the top of this page.

What is an inquest?

It is an investigation by a Coroner and held in public to:

Identify the medical cause of death, and
Answer four questions: who died, when, where and how?

Inquests are fact finding exercises and not supposed to be adversarial as for example, criminal trials are.

In the Chief Coroner's Report 2014-15, it is stated that:

“..coroners have two main functions. First, in relation to each death reported to them they explain the unexplained. If the death is not from natural causes, if it is unnatural, violent, in custody or of unknown cause, coroners will investigate so that answers are found, both for bereaved families in the first place but also for the wider public".

So, it follows that an inquest is an opportunity for families to learn more about the circumstances leading up to the death of their loved one.

The second function of coroners, where appropriate, is to report to prevent future deaths. The Chief Coroner has issued guidance which states "Coroners have a duty not just to decide how somebody came by their death but also, where appropriate, to report about that death with a view to preventing future deaths"

You may hear coroners and their officers refer to these reports as PFDs, PFD reports or regulation 28 reports.

Coroners now arrive at conclusions which previously had been called verdicts.

How we can help

We can give you information and share our knowledge so that you gain a good understanding of the inquest process and feel more able to contribute should you so wish.

We can also advocate on your behalf before and during inquest hearings (where the Coroner agrees to this), but we are not legally qualified.

We can put you in touch with specialist lawyers, where appropriate.

If you have lost a member of your family or a friend through fatal domestic abuse, we are here to help

Our normal office hours are 9:00am - 5:00pm but we may be able to take calls outside of these hours. If we are not available, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.