INQUISITION, practice. An examination of certain facts by a jury impanelled
by the sheriff for the purpose; the instrument of writing on which their
decision is made is also called an inquisition. The sheriff or coroner and
the jury who make the inquisition, are called the inquest.
2. An inquisition on an untimely death, if omitted by the coroner, may
be taken by justices of gaol delivery and oyer and terminer. or of the
peace, but it must be done publicly and openly, otherwise it will be
quashed. Inquisitions either of the coroner, or of the other jurisdictions,
are traversable. 1 Burr. 18, 19.