ABSTRACT
Dating back to at least the twelfth century, the role of the coroner was initially a means of raising revenue for the Crown, in addition to investigations into violent and sudden unexplained deaths. The coroner’s role in England and Wales has evolved over the centuries into the inquisitorial system that is more familiar today and includes a role in the investigation of Treasure Trove. In Scotland, the system of inquests is overseen by the Procurator Fiscal and governed by the Fatal Accident and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976. On 25 July 2013 the Coroners and Justice came into effect for coroners and inquests. This Act implemented substantive changes to the unmodernised and much criticised coronial procedures and practices.
