"Coroner" is a word in LAW AND LEGAL, ENGLISH

The name of an ancient officer ot the common law, whose office and functions are continued iu modern Eugllsh aud American administration. The coroner is an officer belonging to each county, and ls charged with duties both judicial and ministerial, but chiefly the former. It is his spe-cial province and duty to make inquiry into the causes and circumstances of any death happening within his territory which occurs through violence or suddenly and with marks of suspicion. This examination (called the “coroner’s inquest”) is held with a jury of proper persons upon view of the dead liody. See Bract, fol. 121; 1 Bl. Comm. 346-348 ; 3 Steph. Comm. 33. In England, another branch of hls judicial office is to inquire concerning shipwrecks, and certify whether wreck or not, and who is ln possession of the goods; and also to Inquire concerning treos

An officer of the peace whose principal duty is to
inquire, with the help of a jury, into the cause of any violent, sudden
or mysterious death, or death in prison, usually on sight of the body
and at the place where the death occurred.