ABSTRACT
The office of coroner was established in 1194, and since that time the powers of the coroner have been successively narrowed until, today, their main functions are the holding of inquests into suspicious deaths within their area and into the status of property alleged to be a treasure as defined in the Treasure Act 1996 (replacing the more limited treasure trove). Coroners can be assisted by a jury of between seven and 11 persons and a majority verdict is acceptable, providing that no more than two jurors dissent.
