Incest monster Fritzl's daughter to be questioned over baby's death

A doctor may be asked to determine how one of the seven babies Elisabeth Fritzl had with her father, Josef, perished.

A prosecutor in the Austrian town of St. Poelten also said authorities hope to have formal charges against Mr Fritzl ready within months.

Held: Josef Fritzl could face official charges within a month

In recovery: Elisabeth Fritzl was held captive for 24 years

That would allow a trial to start before the end of the year.

Fritzl has told investigators he fathered his daughter Elizabeth's seven children; three raised in a cellar at his home in Amstetten, while three were brought up above ground.

The seventh died in infancy, officials said.

DNA tests confirmed he is the biological father of the six surviving children.

Authorities say Fritzl confessed to incinerating the corpse of the dead baby, identified as one of a pair of twins born in 1997.

He could face murder charges if it turns out he was responsible for its death, Sedlacek added.

Elisabeth's questioning by a judge will take place in a special room at an undisclosed location.

Her answers will be transmitted via video to the defence and she will not have to face her father unless she specifically requests to do so.

At least two days are set aside for the questioning, Sedlacek said.

Fritzl and his wife raised three of the children he fathered with his daughter after Fritzl claimed Elisabeth left them at the doorstep of the family's home.

Authorities say the other three were confined underground.