Legal Definitions - inquisitio

Inquisitio: A Latin word that means inquisition or inquest. It can refer to an inquiry by a coroner or medical examiner into the manner of death of a person who died under suspicious circumstances or in prison. It can also refer to an inquiry into a certain matter by a specially empaneled jury. Additionally, it can be a proceeding to determine the amount of damages owed by a defendant who has defaulted. In history, it was used to describe the survey of the lands of England in 1085-1086, resulting in the Domesday Book. Another type of inquisitio was an inquest of office, which was conducted by a royal officer to determine the Crown's right to property by reason of escheat, treason, or other ground of forfeiture.