In most circumstances when a person has been charged in connection with the death the coroner must suspend the investigation, usually until the criminal proceedings are concluded. On adjourning an inquest, the coroner sends the registrar a certificate stating the particulars that are needed to register the death and for a death certificate to be issued.
If criminal proceedings take place the coroner will decide whether or not to resume the inquest. There may be no need if all the facts surrounding the death have emerged at a trial and in such cases the coroner will send another certificate to the registrar of deaths, confirming the outcome of the trial. If the inquest is resumed, however, the findings of the inquest as to the cause of death cannot be inconsistent with the outcome of the criminal trial.