Coroner's Inquests

Inquests are formal court proceedings, with a five- to seven-person jury, held to publicly review the circumstances of a death. The jury hears evidence from witnesses under summons (same as a subpoena) in order to determine the facts of a death. The presiding coroner ensures the jury maintains the goal of fact-finding, not fault-finding.

Upon conclusion of the inquest, a written report known as a Verdict is prepared. It includes the classification of the death and any jury recommendations on how to prevent deaths in similar circumstances. There are two types of Verdict documents posted on this site:

• Verdict: The jury's verdict is usually posted at the end of the last day of the inquest, and it includes the jury’s findings and any recommendations
• Verdict with Coroner's Comments: This is the verdict with the presiding coroner's comments and a brief overview of the circumstances of the death. When this document is posted, it replaces the Verdict document (but will still include the jury's recommendations). If you are looking for the verdict for an inquest that is not already posted, please contact the BC Coroners Service

An inquest may be held if the Chief Coroner determines that it would be beneficial for: addressing community concern about a death, assisting in finding information about the deceased or circumstances around a death, and/or drawing attention to a cause of death if such awareness can prevent future deaths. An inquest is mandatory if the deceased was in the care or control of a peace officer (as defined in Part 1 of the Coroners Act) at the time of their death unless the Chief Coroner exercises the discretion provided under Section 18 of the Coroners Act.

Inquest Archive

Inquest Resources

• Understanding the role of Coroner's Inquests
• Media information guide to Coroner's Inquests