Bose, you are quite correct that a Coroner is not concerned with prosecutions following death. I did not suggest that he was.
The powers to which I referred are powers to investigate and examine. HM Coroner's powers here are almost unlimited. It is in this respect that, should the Coroner in this case wish, he will hear evidence which uncovers all the facts behind the flight. He will, of course, then either give a verdict or direct his jury to a verdict. In this case, I believe a narrative verdict is the most likely outcome (though I recognise that some Coroners choose to avoid narrative verdicts for their own reasons).
Some Coroners are much more willing to explore fundamentals than others (Oxfordshire springs to mind).
(My words on this specific matter are informed by involvement with Coroners at a level somewhat above your experience as an expert witness).
Last edited by frontlefthamster; 30th May 2008 at 20:08.