(1)Where an inquiry is to be held into the death of a person in accordance with sections 2 to 7, the procurator fiscal must—
(a)investigate the circumstances of the death, and
(b)arrange for the inquiry to be held.
(2)An inquiry is to be conducted by a sheriff.
(3)The purpose of an inquiry is to—
(a)establish the circumstances of the death, and
(b)consider what steps (if any) might be taken to prevent other deaths in similar circumstances.
(4)But it is not the purpose of an inquiry to establish civil or criminal liability.
(5)In this Act, unless the context requires otherwise—
(a)“inquiry” means an inquiry held, or to be held, under this Act,
(b)references to a “sheriff” in relation to an inquiry are to a sheriff of the sheriffdom in which the inquiry is, or is to be, held.
Commencement Information
I1S. 1 in force at 15.6.2017 by S.S.I. 2017/155, reg. 2 (with reg. 5)