ABSTRACT
Although differences between jurisdictions exist, most forensic pathologists are regularly confronted with deaths due to natural causes. Knowledge of the key diagnostic features, differential diagnoses, and clinical effects of a large variety of natural diseases is therefore a prerequisite for every forensic pathologist. This Chapter however does not aim to provide detailed information, as it is better sourced from dedicated subspecialty textbooks or articles than from a general chapter. Rather, this Chapter focuses on various less-often discussed, but nonetheless relevant aspects of such deaths. The Chapter starts with a discussion as to why natural deaths are relevant for forensic pathologists, and why examining such deaths within the context of a medicolegal death investigation system has merit. Then, the definition of “death due to natural causes” is explored, and why such a classification is important but may be challenging. Also, the meaning and use of the terms “sudden”, “unexpected” and “unexplained” is discussed in more detail. Lastly, the determination of the cause of death is discussed, which may not be easy especially when the autopsy findings are non-specific.
