ABSTRACT
The evaluation of deaths related to complications of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures has traditionally been a problematic area for forensic pathologists and death investigators. The reasons for this are multiple: (1) these deaths often blur the boundaries dividing medicolegal and hospital death investigation; (2) many forensic pathologists do not feel comfortable approaching the often complex and highly technical issues present today in modern medicine; and (3) at least some forensic pathologists believe that these types of death belong more appropriately within the domain of the hospital autopsy. Despite this ongoing controversy, most forensic pathologists and death investigators will, at some point during their careers, be forced to handle these types of deaths.
