Before 1977, a coroner's jury could name the person allegedly responsible where the deceased died through homicide and the document setting out the verdict would have the same effect as a bill of indictment. Criminal Law Act 1977 removed that power. Under current law, it is not the function of a coroner's inquest to provide a forum for attempts to gather evidence for pending or future criminal or civil proceedings, but any evidence given there might form the basis for further inquiries which might then lead to criminal charges. If a person gives evidence that leads the coroner to consider that a person might be charged with a criminal offense, the coroner must adjourn the hearing for at least 14 days and send inquest hearing papers to the DPP. The DPP has no powers of investigation, so the papers will usually be sent to the relevant police force with a request that it carry out an investigation. Notes