Postmortem Examination: Natural and Unnatural Death Definitions

A natural death occurs when no one can be legally found to have caused the death, while an unnatural death is when a person or persons may be blamed for the death by acts of commission or omission.

The cause of death is the disease or injury that produces the physiological disruption in the body resulting in the death of the individual.

The mechanism of death is the physiological derangement due to the cause that results in the death.

<p>The manner of death indicates how the cause of death came about, such as natural, accident, suicide, homicide, undetermined, unclassified.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>If there is suspicion of foul play, a complete investigation should be conducted.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<ol> <li>Secure the scene. 2. Look and photograph. 3. Ask questions. 4. Describe and record the position of body, weapons, etc. 5. Do a cursory exam of the body. 6. Proceed with a complete body exam.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

<p>External description, evidence of injury (external and internal), systems and organs examination, special dissections, brain examination after fixation, microscopic examination, findings, opinion, and signature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>By considering deaths resulting from the application of force or external factors, complications, mismanagement leading to death, or sudden unexpected deaths not solely due to natural causes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Stabbing, shooting, blunt force trauma, etc.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ingestion, injection, inhalation of fumes, or overdoses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Dog bites, snake bites, food poisoning, etc.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It is not a reason to assume that the death is natural.</p> Signup and view all the answers