Coroner

A county magistrate of great antiquity at the common law, whose peculiar office is to inquire into the causes of violent or sudden deaths, by a jury of proper persons, upon view of the dead body. Another branch of his office is to inquire concerning shipwrecks, and certify whether wreck or not, and who is in possession of the goods; and also to inquire concerning treasure trove, who were the finders and where it is, and whether any one is suspected of having found and concealed a treasure. These duties are judicial. The coroner is also charged with certain ministerial duties. He thus acts as the sheriff's substitute in the service of process. He is also by virtue of his office a conservator of the peace.