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At an inquest
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Does anyone know what to expect at an inquest please?
Will be attending one about my nephew who took his own life and I just don't know what it will be like.
How much will be divulged? Will it be "nitty-gritty" and we just have to steal ourselves even though we know pretty much what happened.
Want to attend to be supportive of nephew's parents but am worried about how tough it will be to sit through.
Will be attending one about my nephew who took his own life and I just don't know what it will be like.
How much will be divulged? Will it be "nitty-gritty" and we just have to steal ourselves even though we know pretty much what happened.
Want to attend to be supportive of nephew's parents but am worried about how tough it will be to sit through.
Answers
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I went to one when a friend died. It was just like a court room. The coroner sat at the top bench, medical experts and the police seemed to be called in as needed for each `case'. Family and friends sat watching. Everything is mentioned - the police tell their part about being called, the pathologist says what he found on the body, the coroner calls witnesses who answer various questions - as a witness I was asked if my friend was suicidal, I said no and the coroner ruled accidental death or misadventure - I can't remember now as it was15 years ago.
I listened to another case before my case came up, so you can expect strangers to be in court including the press who report `interesting' cases. It was all very civilised and respectful and just the relevant facts were revealed but why it's all done in public I don't know.
I listened to another case before my case came up, so you can expect strangers to be in court including the press who report `interesting' cases. It was all very civilised and respectful and just the relevant facts were revealed but why it's all done in public I don't know.
-- answer removed --
I was the 'sole witness' called at an inquest.
The others were 'professionals'; Coastguard, Pathologist.
The Coroner read out the statements given in respect of the death whilst the person who gave the statement sat (in my case, trembling so much that I couldn't lift my head up) in the witness chair.
The pathologist gave additional 'health' details.
She asked if the facts in our statemenst were correct, if the witnesses had anything to add and if anyone else had anything to ask. A local reporter asked a couple of questions and that was it.
The others were 'professionals'; Coastguard, Pathologist.
The Coroner read out the statements given in respect of the death whilst the person who gave the statement sat (in my case, trembling so much that I couldn't lift my head up) in the witness chair.
The pathologist gave additional 'health' details.
She asked if the facts in our statemenst were correct, if the witnesses had anything to add and if anyone else had anything to ask. A local reporter asked a couple of questions and that was it.
sorry to hear your news - i asked editorial and this was the response,hope its helpful.
An inquest is a court, with the coroner who has carried out the post mortem sitting a bit like a judge and giving his or her verdict on the cause of death, and on what led up to a person's death.
The purpose of the court is NOT to place blame (as it is in criminal court), but to set out the facts, as far as they can be known, about the incident. When I've attended an inquest, I have always found the coroner to be kind, understanding and sympathetic toward the family. That's not to say the facts the coroner relays are not upsetting -- they often are -- but they are said in as kind a way as possible, sticking to the facts of how injuries were caused, with sympathy for what the person who died was going through. Nothing too graphic will be said or shown (no images) and details are kept to just what is needed to give a cause of death. So the coroner would be more likely to say "severe trauma incompatible with life" instead of "head ripped off by a train" (or whatever). I have been to an inquest where someone was almost decapitated in a car accident (I knew this from the police) and the inquest just said "severe major head injuries". So it's not stomach-churning.
The coroner will explain what led up to the death, how the death was carried out and whether there are any other details (such as a suicide note) which showed the person's state of mind at the time of their death. Then the coroner will make a ruling on the cause of death -- most likely in the case of a suicide the ruling will be that a person "took their own life". And that's it. It will be over. The coroner will thank the family for coming and express his sorrow for their loss. Hearing the details in open court can be upsetting, but it won't be dragged out or gone into in much detail. Nothing will be said along the lines of "if only someo
An inquest is a court, with the coroner who has carried out the post mortem sitting a bit like a judge and giving his or her verdict on the cause of death, and on what led up to a person's death.
The purpose of the court is NOT to place blame (as it is in criminal court), but to set out the facts, as far as they can be known, about the incident. When I've attended an inquest, I have always found the coroner to be kind, understanding and sympathetic toward the family. That's not to say the facts the coroner relays are not upsetting -- they often are -- but they are said in as kind a way as possible, sticking to the facts of how injuries were caused, with sympathy for what the person who died was going through. Nothing too graphic will be said or shown (no images) and details are kept to just what is needed to give a cause of death. So the coroner would be more likely to say "severe trauma incompatible with life" instead of "head ripped off by a train" (or whatever). I have been to an inquest where someone was almost decapitated in a car accident (I knew this from the police) and the inquest just said "severe major head injuries". So it's not stomach-churning.
The coroner will explain what led up to the death, how the death was carried out and whether there are any other details (such as a suicide note) which showed the person's state of mind at the time of their death. Then the coroner will make a ruling on the cause of death -- most likely in the case of a suicide the ruling will be that a person "took their own life". And that's it. It will be over. The coroner will thank the family for coming and express his sorrow for their loss. Hearing the details in open court can be upsetting, but it won't be dragged out or gone into in much detail. Nothing will be said along the lines of "if only someo
if only someone had realised what was happening, this could have been avoided". The coroner is not there to judge the deceased or the people who knew them, just to make a quite simple judgment on the cause of death.
Of course, this is not a pleasant event to attend, but an inquest is often a good way for a family to find out the facts and move on. Very likely there will only be four or five people there (the coroner, the clerk and any witnesses/family) and it will all be over in about half an hour. There may be a member of the press there who will sit quietly at the back, as we do sometimes report on inquests
Of course, this is not a pleasant event to attend, but an inquest is often a good way for a family to find out the facts and move on. Very likely there will only be four or five people there (the coroner, the clerk and any witnesses/family) and it will all be over in about half an hour. There may be a member of the press there who will sit quietly at the back, as we do sometimes report on inquests
Actually, that's^^ exactly how it was.
The family sat in a dignified silence and there was nothing 'dreadful' for them to hear, just the sad facts.
It may help you, if you attend. The facts are all laid out, there is precious little room for distortion, etc. and hopefully it will enable the family to begin to move forwards.
The family sat in a dignified silence and there was nothing 'dreadful' for them to hear, just the sad facts.
It may help you, if you attend. The facts are all laid out, there is precious little room for distortion, etc. and hopefully it will enable the family to begin to move forwards.
I can't thank you all enough for your replies. You have certainly put my mind at ease and I think I will be able to manage it. Me and huby really want to be there to support his brother and his wife but I was concerned about hearing "too much" information even though we already know much of what will be discussed.
Our nephew was schitzophrenic but we still did not expect him to do what he did (he jumped from the dam into Lake Verynwy in Wales) and it was a huge shock.
I think I can take that deep breath and go along ... it will be held in Welshpool but we are from the Midlands so now feel able to offer support to brother and sister-in-law.
Really do appreciate all you have said as I was imagining all sorts of photographs on show and detailed causes of death - but we do know it was multiple injuries already.
Thanks guys and gals.
Our nephew was schitzophrenic but we still did not expect him to do what he did (he jumped from the dam into Lake Verynwy in Wales) and it was a huge shock.
I think I can take that deep breath and go along ... it will be held in Welshpool but we are from the Midlands so now feel able to offer support to brother and sister-in-law.
Really do appreciate all you have said as I was imagining all sorts of photographs on show and detailed causes of death - but we do know it was multiple injuries already.
Thanks guys and gals.
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Hopefully not.
You may well find that the Coroner has heard it before and simply makes reference to it to show your nephew's 'intent' or illustrate the 'balance of his mind'.
I'm sure that if you can find the telephone number of the Coroners Court, they would be happy to allay your worries....
But don't let that appear to be a dismissive comment; please continue to ask any questions you can think of... :o)
You may well find that the Coroner has heard it before and simply makes reference to it to show your nephew's 'intent' or illustrate the 'balance of his mind'.
I'm sure that if you can find the telephone number of the Coroners Court, they would be happy to allay your worries....
But don't let that appear to be a dismissive comment; please continue to ask any questions you can think of... :o)
That's kind of you jackthehat - thanks. Have had all this mulling over and over in my head when it suddenly ocurred to me I could ask here.
I think you have all been kind enough to lessen my concerns but will be sure to pop back and ask further if other stuff surfaces.
Many thanks to all who have replied for your support.
I think you have all been kind enough to lessen my concerns but will be sure to pop back and ask further if other stuff surfaces.
Many thanks to all who have replied for your support.
The inquest was today and I would like to repeat my thanks for all the replies I had to this post.
You helped me be prepared for something I knew nothing about and having an idea of what to expect certainly helped.
The first half hour or so were very painful as the policeman on the scene gave his statement and it was hard to bare but everyone coped very well ... lots of dabbing at eyes with tissues but it was all very dignified and calm really.
Feel a bit drained now - probably that slump following the adrenalin that gets you through a day like today but I coped better than I thought I would and it really was down to your replies and support.
Thank you very much indeed.
You helped me be prepared for something I knew nothing about and having an idea of what to expect certainly helped.
The first half hour or so were very painful as the policeman on the scene gave his statement and it was hard to bare but everyone coped very well ... lots of dabbing at eyes with tissues but it was all very dignified and calm really.
Feel a bit drained now - probably that slump following the adrenalin that gets you through a day like today but I coped better than I thought I would and it really was down to your replies and support.
Thank you very much indeed.
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