INQUEST

• Context:

  • The pressure group INQUEST focuses on state-related deaths, such as those of people in prisons or psychiatric care. The group has been involved in many inquests, such as the deaths in the Grenfell Tower fire. 
  • INQUEST campaigns ensure that investigations into deaths treat bereaved people with dignity and respect. 
• Methods:

  Casework to support bereaved people so that they can establish the truth about a death which occurred while someone was in the care of the state

  Accountability: state institutions are held accountable for their safeguarding failures 

  Changing policies: learn from investigations to prevent further deaths
• Success:

  • INQUEST set up the Independent Police Complaints Commision (IPCC). The IPCC investigates serious complaints and allegations of misconduct against the police. 
  • INQUEST extended the 2007 Corporate Manslaughter Act so that it would cover deaths in the custody of public authorities.
• Discussion/Limitation:

  As INQUEST is highly based on gathering evidence in casework, they may struggle for resources at times due to high demand. For instance, this could be staff or funding