Beware of being didactic on non-medical matters; such action is a fruitful source of the “differences of doctors.”
Before leaving the witness-box, compliment the conduct of the police or other persons who rendered worthy “first aid” to the deceased man.
“The best brief is a copy of the depositions.” When criminal or civil proceedings are likely to follow an inquest, carefully read over and correct where necessary your depositions as taken down by the Coroner’s clerk; initial any alterations you make, then sign them as a correct record. Never sign any statement without having perused it previously.
You can thus readily identify the depositions later, when you may have to repeat your evidence in a higher Court where counsel will have scrutinized minutely not only the facts stated but also the facts as stated: and so will be able to criticize keenly your second version.
In criminal cases the Coroner will bind over the medical witness by recognizance to appear at the trial and give evidence; usually such cases are taken first at the Assizes.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Say “I solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare, and affirm, that I will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”; or, raising the right hand, say: “I swear by Almighty God, as I shall answer to God at the last day of Judgment, I will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
II. RULES AS TO FEES.
No fee can be claimed for merely volunteered information, given either in Court or previously.
If you attend the Court after being sub-pœna’d, the fee is due, even should no evidence be called for.