Coroner

Coroner

A coroner is a public servant responsible for carrying out investigations to determine how and why deaths other than those by natural causes occurred. The investigation is in the form of an inquest; the coroner listens to evidence of the circumstances surrounding the death and is entitled to question all witnesses during the proceedings. Inquests are governed by different rules in different provinces. In some, a jury will also be selected to hear the evidence; in others, the coroner, who may be a judge, magistrate or ordinary citizen, presides alone.