ABSTRACT
Death can result from various reasons. It can be due to natural causes such as heart attacks, strokes, or old age. It can result from accidents such as drowning, falling, or accidentally overdosing on drugs. e –nal two causes of death are suicide and homicide. e investigation of an unexpected death is normally a medical problem before it can become an investigation problem. e investigation is terminated if death was due to natural causes, accident, or suicide. ere are three phases of an investigation (Snyder, 1977, pp. 7-8). First, why did the person die? is question is answered by the physician, the autopsy surgeon, and the medical laboratory. Was death caused by infection, poisoning, asphyxia, electricity, or any of a host of other conditions? Second, by what means and in what manner did death take place? For example, if asphyxia was the cause of death, was it produced by choking, strangulation, drowning, or smothering? If the person died from an infection, was it caused by pneumonia, meningitis, a stab wound, or the bite of a rabid animal? e answer to this problem may involve both medical examination and investigative e¡orts by the coroner and the police. If investigation indicates that death was a result of criminal or negligent conduct by another person, the –nal phase presents itself. ird, who was responsible? If this problem is to be resolved, it will be done almost entirely by the investigative acumen and zeal of the coroner and the police. However, it is important that a logical sequence be maintained and that investigative activities are kept in an orderly progression.
