Examination

A search, inspection, or interrogation.

In CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, the PRELIMINARY HEARING held to decide whether a suspect arrested for a crime should be brought to trial.

In trial practice, the interrogation of a witness to elicit his or her testimony in a civil or criminal action, so that the facts he or she possesses are presented before the trial of fact for consideration.

In the law governing real property transactions, an investigation made into the history of the ownership of and conditions that exist upon land so that a purchaser can determine whether a seller is entitled to sell the land free and clear of any claims made by third persons.

In patent law, an inquiry made at the PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE to determine the novelty and utility of an invention for which a patent application has been filed and whether the invention interferes with any other invention.