The body of murdered Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer will stay in Jamaica until an inquest is held, according to police.

A coroner on the Caribbean island has ruled the inquest, with a jury, will be held "as soon as practical" but a date has yet to be set.

The development followed talks between the coroner and former Scotland Yard detective Mark Shields, deputy commissioner of police in Jamaica.

Pakistan were preparing to leave the country after being interviewed and asked to provide DNA samples.

Police have been scouring CCTV footage and other electronic records from the Kingston hotel where Woolmer was strangled.

Yesterday detectives said Woolmer probably knew his killer - or killers - as there was no sign of forced entry.

But hotel officials said there are no records of anyone else entering Woolmer's 12th-floor room on the night he was murdered.

The 58-year-old former England Test batsman was found unconscious in his room on Sunday, a day after Pakistan's shock defeat to Ireland in the World Cup.

A statement released by the Jamaica Information Service on behalf of the commissioner of police claimed the coroner had directed that Woolmer's body "remain within his jurisdiction" until an inquest is completed.

"A coroner's inquest with a jury into the murder of Bob Woolmer is to be held," the statement, released yesterday, said.

"Following discussions with deputy commissioner of police, Mark Shields, this morning, the coroner directed that the inquest be held as soon as practical.

"He also ordered that Mr Woolmer's body remain within his jurisdiction until the inquest has been completed."

The statement added that although the Pakistan players were expected to leave Jamaica today, two team officials would remain in Kingston.

It also said the Pakistani government was sending two officials to the island to liaise with the Jamaican authorities.

Shields claimed yesterday that he found it "difficult to believe" that Woolmer's killer or killers were complete strangers to him.

He said: "It's imperative we keep an open mind, but I have to say at this stage it looks as if it may be somebody somehow linked to him because clearly he let somebody into his hotel room and it may be that he knew who that person was."

As well as there being no sign of forced entry into his hotel room, he said Woolmer's possessions were undisturbed.

Pakistan cricket team media spokesman PJ Mir claimed yesterday that Woolmer had told him a proof of the book he was writing, the only copy, had gone missing.

Speculation is growing that Woolmer may have been preparing to blow the whistle on match-fixing in the book.

The Professional Cricketers' Association have expressed their "outrage" at Woolmer's murder.

PCA group chief executive Richard Bevan said: "We were deeply saddened and outraged by Bob's murder.

"Bob was a member of the PCA. He was a much respected, coach, player and friend of the association.

"We are devastated and shellshocked by what has happened."