Definition: In criminal law, a "preinquisition" refers to a period of time during which an accused person is held in custody or under interrogation by police officers. This period can be as short as several hours and as long as several days, depending on the circumstances of the case and the jurisdiction where it takes place. During preinquisitions, the accused is often subjected to questioning about their background, past criminal record, and any other relevant information that may be required for the investigation or trial. This