The first day of an inquest into the deaths during the Lindt cafe siege has heard hostage Katrina Dawson died after being hit by fragments of a police bullet.

Hostages Ms Dawson and Tori Johnson, and gunman Man Haron Monis, died when police stormed the Martin Place cafe to end the 16-hour siege.

No witnesses were called on the opening day, but counsel assisting outlined the scope of the inquest and the results of inquiries made to date.

Look back over the proceedings in our blog, or read the story.