INQUEST. A body of men appointed by law to inquire into certain matters; as, the inquest examined into the facts connected with the alleged1 murder; the grand jury, is sometimes called the grand inquest. The judicial2 inquiry3 itself is also called an inquest. The finding of such men, upon an investigation4, is also called an inquest or an inquisition.
2. An inquest of office was bound to find for the king upon the direction of the court. The reason given is that the inquest coucluded no man of his right, but only gave the king an opportunity to enter so that he could have his right tried. Moore, 730; Vaughan, 135; 3 H. VII. 10; 2 H. IV. 5; 3 Leon. 196.
INQUIRY, WRIT5 OF. A writ of inquiry is one issued where a judgment6 has been entered in a case sounding in damages, without any particular amount being ascertained7; this writ is for the purpose of ascertaining8 the amount to which the plaintiff is entitled. Vide Writ Of Inquiry.
INQUISITION, practice. An examination of certain facts by a jury impannelled 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 gaol9 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 jurisdictions10, are traversable. 1 Burr. 18, 19.
INQUISITOR. A designation of sheriffs, coroners, super visum corporis, and the like, who have power to inquire into certain matters.
2. The name, of an officer, among ecclesiastics11, who is authorized12 to inquire into heresies13, and the like, and to punish them. An ecclesiastical judge.
INROLLMENT. The act of putting upon a roll. Formerly14, the record of a suit was kept on skins of parchment, which, best to preserve them, were kept upon a roll or in the form of a roll; what was written upon them was called the inrollment. After, when such records came to be kept in books, the making up of the record retained the old name of inrollment.
INSANE. One deprived of the use of reason, after he has arrived at the age when he ought to have it, either by a natural defect or by accident. Domat, Lois Civ. Lib. prel. tit. 2, s. 1, n. ll.
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