Normally, this occurs in the context of medical care, suicide or suspected criminal activity.
If, as a result of police enquiries, a criminal is charged or an accident is shown to have occurred, a full death certificate is issued.
In Scotland, the coroner's functions are carried out by a "procurator fiscal", who is appointed by the Lord Advocate to investigate unexpected or accidental deaths.
[2] Any suspicious death of a British national outside of Britain is required to be investigated through an inquest.
[3] When a suspicious death occurs aboard a British naval or merchant vessel, the body is preserved by refrigeration until the ship arrives at port, at which point the police and coroner begin their investigations.