Dowry death investigation is done by

Inquest: inquiry into the cause of death • Police Inquest ■ Most common type of inquest in India ■ Investigating officer usually is sub inspector or officer not below the rank of (senior) head constable. Magistrate Inquest: Court of Trail • Usually conducted by DM, SDM or Executive Magistrate (i.e. collector, Deputy Collector or Tahsildar) • Magistrate inquests are usually done in following circumstances: ■ Dowry deaths i.e. unnatural deaths within 7 years of marriage ■ Death in prison ■ Death in police custody or interrogation or during police firing ■ Death in any psychiatric hospital • Exhumation i.e. digging out of an already buried body also done upon order of magistrate. Coroner's Inquest: Court of inquiry • Coroner is an advocate, attorney, pleader, or first class magistrate with 5 years experience or metropolitan magistrate • Coroner court is a court of inquiry & accused need not be present. • Coroner court can’t impose fine or punishment; but it can punish those guilty of contempt of his court when the offence is committed in the premises of his court (i.e. city limit only) • In India it is practiced only in Mumbai