Sudden Death Flashcards
What is a sudden death?
Death away from a hospital that in some way was unexpected
What is a suspicious death?
Death appears unnatural, unexpected and prompts a reasonable belief another person is involved in the death – murder, manslaughter etc.
What is a non-suspicious death?
Death being of natural causes, or because of an accident or any other incident not involving another person.
What is an expected death?
Death because of a terminal illness or medical condition being treated recently.
What is a natural death?
Deaths which occur from illness or old age, e.g. terminal cancer patients, people with heart disease, etc.
What is an unnatural death?
A death that occurred following an accident such as drowning, workplace fatality or suicide considered to have happened in unnatural circumstances.
What is a unexplained death?
A death that has occurred but has no obvious cause and cannot be explained without further investigation and possibly post-mortem examination. Suspicion or non-suspicion will be undetermined.
In what circumstances is a Medical certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) issued?
- expected death
- patient has been attended by the doctor within 14 days of death
- doctor is sufficiently familiar with the patient to be sure of the cause of death and has viewed the deceased
If a medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) is not issued, what follows?
The death is considered unexpected and an investigation occurs
Who can verify a death?
Medical professionals - doctor, paramedic etc.
Police in certain circumstances
In what circumstances can police verify a death?
Must be no medical professional available and death is obvious e.g. decomposed remains, decapitation or from the circumstances they are confident that death has occurred.
Cannot verify the death of:
○ A person under 18
○ A death following police contact
○ A drowning, rail, or road accident – unless decapitation or severe burning has occurred
