CORONER

The n'ame of an ancient of• ficer of the.common law, whose office and functions are continued in modern English and.American administration. The coroner ls an officer belonging to each county, and is charged with duties both judicial and minis• terial, but chiefly the former. It is his special province and duty to make inquiry into the causes and circumstances of any death happening within his territory which occur a through violence or suddenly and with marks of suspicion. This examination (called the "coroner's inquest") ls held with a jury of proper persons upon view of the dead body. See Bract. fol. 121; _1 Bl. Comm. 346--348; 8 Steph. Comm. 33. In England, another branch.ot his judicial office ls to inquire concerning shipwrecks, and certify whether wreck or not, and who ls in po e ion of the.roods: and also -to. inquire concerning treas- [s. 278]