Legal Terms

A non-natural death that results from an injury causing death, but inflicted unintentionally as suggested by evidence.

In Canada this is the individual who certifies the manner of death. In some provinces, the coroner is required to be a physician.

Process of analyzing the circumstances and conditions around a death to provide answers to the family, determine cause to prevent further similar deaths, administration of justice, etc.

A trained individual who performs autopsies in a medicolegal context to determine the cause and manner of death.

Death caused by the improper professional behaviour or activity.

Examination conducted to determine the cause, mechanism, and manner of death and to identify the decedent if the remains are unknown.

Death caused by actions that were not intended to cause death; was an accident/unintentional.

Death caused by improper behaviour or actions by an individual with specifically allotted responsibilities.

Failure to carry out the basic standard of care for the duty/role that is allotted to be fulfilled by the individual, resulting in death.

Death caused by the use of physical force inflicted onto an individual with intent to harm or cause death.

Legal documentation that is required to allow the pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination through an autopsy on the deceased.