At the inquest, the evidence has to be ‘sworn’ and therefore the witness will be asked either to swear an oath on his or her relevant religious book or to affirm. The Coroner’s Officer will ask the witness of his/her preference. Some evidence at an inquest may be admitted in documentary form. This happens if the evidence is undisputed and no properly interested person wishes to question or challenge it, or where there is a good reason for the witness not to attend the inquest.
The coroner has power to require documents and statements to be produced and failure to do so can result in fines.