Power to hold inquest without a jury in certain cases

(1) Subject to this section, a coroner within whose jurisdiction the dead body of a person is lying, may, in lieu of summoning a jury in the manner required by section 23 of this Act for the purpose of investigating the death of that person, hold an inquiry. Power to hold in- quest without a cases. (2) If it appears to the coroner either before he proceeds to hold an inquest or in the course of an inquiry, that there is reason to suspect, (a) that the deceased came by his death by murder, manslaughter or infanticide; (b) that the death occurred in a prison or in such place or in such circumstances as to require an inquest under any other Act; (c) that the death was caused by an accident, poisoning or disease, notice of which is required to be given to a government department, or to any inspector or other officer of a government department, under or in pursuance of any Act; (d) that the death was caused by an accident arising out of the use of a vehicle in a street or public highway; or (e) that the death occurred in circumstances the continuance or possible recurrence of which is prejudicial to the health or safety of the public or any section of the public, he shall proceed to summon a jury in the manner required by section 23, and in any other case, if it appears to him, either before he proceeds to hold an inquest or in the course of an inquiry, that there is any reason for summoning a jury, he may proceed to summon a jury in the manner aforesaid. 13 (3) The provisions of this Act relating to the procedure in connection with an inquest shall, as respects an inquiry or any part of an inquiry, have effect subject to such modifications as are rendered necessary by the absence of a jury, and where an inquiry is held, the inquisition shall be under the hand of the coroner alone. (4) Where an inquiry or any part of any inquiry is held, anything done at the inquiry, or at that part of the inquiry, by or before the coroner alone shall be as validly done as if it had been done by or before the coroner and a jury.