Legal Terms
Accident |
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A non-natural death that results from an injury causing death, but inflicted unintentionally as suggested by evidence.
Coroner |
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In Canada this is the individual who certifies the manner of death. In some provinces, the coroner is required to be a physician.
Death investigation |
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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.
Forensic pathologist
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A trained individual who performs autopsies in a medicolegal context to determine the cause and manner of death.
Malpractice
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Death caused by the improper professional behaviour or activity.
Medicolegal postmortem examination |
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Examination conducted to determine the cause, mechanism, and manner of death and to identify the decedent if the remains are unknown.
Misadventure
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Death caused by actions that were not intended to cause death; was an accident/unintentional.
Misconduct
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Death caused by improper behaviour or actions by an individual with specifically allotted responsibilities.
Negligence
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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.
Violence
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Death caused by the use of physical force inflicted onto an individual with intent to harm or cause death.
Warrant
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Legal documentation that is required to allow the pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination through an autopsy on the deceased.
The circumstances and conditions that caused the death. Must account for the results and evidence gathered from all postmortem examinations conducted; 5 main types.
Initial injury or disease that led to the series of events resulting in death.
The last physiological derangement that onset resulting in death.
A legal term referring to a person who has died.
A non-natural death that results from an injury causing death but inflicted unintentionally as suggested by evidence.
A thorough examination conducted on the body of the deceased where the cause of death and manner of death are determined through an autopsy.
