General Terms

A non-natural death resulting from an injury that is inflicted unintentionally, as suggested by evidence.

The comparison of the likelihoods of different manners of death to one another to ensure that the most likely manner of death is reported. In the case that two manners of death are equally likely, then the manner of death is reported as undetermined.

The initial injury or disease that led to the series of events resulting in death.

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

The evidence that is presented results in two or more comparable likelihoods of classifications of the manner of death. In this scenario, the manner of death is undetermined.

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

A non-natural death that results from an intentional act that an individual inflicts upon another individual to cause fear, harm, or death.

A public hearing instigated to examine and discuss circumstances that have led to a death that brings into question public health and safety.

The evidence that is presented is not clear, convincing, or compelling enough to result in a classification of the manner of death. In this scenario, the manner of death is undetermined.

The circumstances and conditions that caused the death. The manner of death must account for the results and evidence gathered from all post-mortem examinations conducted. There are five main classifications of manners of death: Natural, homicide, suicide, accident, undetermined.

In Canada, this is the individual who performs autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death. The medical examiner must be a qualified pathologist with training in death investigation and forensic pathology.

Death resulting only from the onset of a natural disease, complications of a disease or its treatment, or the aging process.

A thorough examination conducted on the body of the deceased, where the cause of death and manner of death are determined through an autopsy.

A non-natural death that results from an intentional injury inflicted on oneself to cause self-harm or death.

A death that results under circumstances where the evidence is insufficient in identifying a manner of death or indicates more than one manner of death being equally possible.

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