inquest

noun

1. A formal investigation, often held before a jury, especially one into the cause of a death

   “The inquest on keeper Davidson was duly held, and at the commencement seemed likely to cause Tony Palliser less anxiety than he had expected.”

   “However, the 'accidental death' verdict of the jury in the inquest into the Croydon tram accident of November 2016 is the latest episode in a saga that seems likely to prevent the full story of this eminently preventable disaster from ever being exposed.”

2. An inquiry, typically into an undesired outcome
3. The jury hearing such an inquiry, and the result of the inquiry
4. (obsolete, rare)enquiry; quest; search

   “the laborious and vexatious inquest that the soul must make after science”

   “Hauing of late by diligent inquest, Prouided him a sword of meanest sort”

5. (Philippines, broadly)Prosecutorial proceeding on whether or not a warrantless arrestee is charged with an offense.