Cause vs. Manner of Death
Cause of death is the specific medical reason a person died (e.g., heart attack, gunshot wound, pneumonia, overdose).
Manner of death explains how it happened:
Natural, Accident, Homicide, Suicide, or Undetermined.
Example: Gunshot wound (cause). Homicide if inflicted by another, or Suicide if self-inflicted (manner).
What is an Autopsy?
A careful medical examination after death to understand what happened.
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External exam for signs of injury or illness
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Internal exam of organs
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Laboratory testing (toxicology, histology, microbiology)
Autopsies provide answers for families and support medical, legal, and public health needs.
What Is a Forensic Pathologist?
A medical doctor who determines how and why someone died by examining the body and reviewing records, tests, and investigation details.
They often explain findings in court and help law enforcement, attorneys, and families understand the circumstances of a death.
Understanding Death Determinations
Differentiating between cause and manner of death is crucial for investigations. The cause identifies the injury or disease, while manner categorizes how it occurred.
