Inquest Program

State law gives county coroners broad authority to hold inquests into deaths which occur in their jurisdictions. An inquest is an administrative, fact-finding inquiry into the manner, facts, and circumstances of a death. In King County, the function of holding inquests is vested with the King County Executive.

Under an order issued by the King County Executive, there shall be an inquest into the causes and circumstances of any death involving a member of law enforcement or corrections in the course of their duties. The purpose of an inquest is to shed light, in an open public forum, on the facts surrounding a death at the hands of law enforcement or corrections. A further purpose is to promote public understanding of these events in our community.

By that executive order, inquests are managed by the Department of Executive Services and conducted by Inquest Administrators. Read more about the process and who is involved in an inquest.