Citation

Van Dellen A, Harris A, Merryweather J, Simsek C, Pendlebury G. BJPsych Adv. 2022; 28(3): 187-194.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/bja.2021.70

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

It is highly likely that a psychiatrist will be called to an inquest at some point in their career. Our aim in this article is to educate psychiatrists in relation to the law and processes of a coroner's court in England and Wales and provide guidance on engaging with the system. To achieve this we review and discuss the relevant law and medico-legal aspects of inquests. Knowledge and preparation are key to negotiating any inquest and we would hope that the understanding and guidance offered in this article will reduce anxiety, make the situation manageable and aid professionalism, in often tragic circumstances. Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Language: en

Keywords

human; England; suicide; law; accident; Review; asphyxia; autopsy; cause of death; forensic medicine; hanging; psychiatrist; automutilation; mental health service; psychotrauma; mental patient; court; coroner; surgical error; Inquest; interested person; regulation 28