Causes Of Death Flashcards
What happens when someone dies?
The death needs to be confirmed
And a death certificate issued
How do you physically confirm death?
Check for heart beat, pulse, stethoscope-breathing
Fixed dilated pupils if dead
What if you can’t certify the death?
Refer to the procurator fiscal (coroner)
Why couldn’t you certify a death?
If it was suspicious
Who can issue a death certificate?
A GMC registered medical doctor
What act applies to issuing a certificate?
The registration of births, deaths and marriages (Scotland) act, 1965
Where do relatives take the death certificate?
To the registrars office
How soon does the death certificate need to be handed in by relatives?
Within 8 days
Where can the death certificate be handed in to the registrar’s office?
Where they died or where they are originally from
What happens after relatives have handed in the death certificate to the registrar’s office?
A certificate of disposal is given to the relatives
And if cremation is opted for, a cremation certificate is required
Who was dr Harold Shipman?
Doctor who altered many of his patients wills, killed lots of his patients using morphine and altered cremation system
Around 250 nurses
Who is the legal investigating body in Scotland?
The procurator Fiscal
Who is the legal investigatory body elsewhere?
The HM coroner
What does the procurator fiscal do?
Deals with crimes, investigates deaths
However not involved with the most serious of crimes (rape/murder)
