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Immediately After Someone Dies (view source)
Revision as of 06:26, 19 January 2017
, 06:26, 19 January 2017no edit summary
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* A coroner’s report: The results of the investigation may be released in a coroner’s report. This is a public document setting out the coroner’s findings, including a cause of death and whenever possible, recommendations to prevent future deaths. | * A coroner’s report: The results of the investigation may be released in a coroner’s report. This is a public document setting out the coroner’s findings, including a cause of death and whenever possible, recommendations to prevent future deaths. | ||
* A coroner’s inquest: The coroner may hold an inquest, which is a formal court proceeding with a jury, held to publicly review the circumstances of a death. The jury hears evidence from witnesses. The coroner helps the jury maintain a fact-finding role, not a fault-finding role. A written verdict is prepared, and includes recommendations to prevent future deaths. | * A coroner’s inquest: The coroner may hold an inquest, which is a formal court proceeding with a jury, held to publicly review the circumstances of a death. The jury hears evidence from witnesses. The coroner helps the jury maintain a fact-finding role, not a fault-finding role. A written verdict is prepared, and includes recommendations to prevent future deaths. | ||
===How can you get a copy of a coroner’s report or an inquest verdict?=== | |||
Coroner’s reports and inquest verdicts are public documents. For a copy of a coroner’s report, contact the regional coroner office in your area. For copies of jury findings and verdicts from coroner’ inquests, see the Coroners Service of BC website. See the “Where to Get Help” section for contact details. | |||
===What is an autopsy?=== | |||
An autopsy is a thorough medical examination of a body after death. It may be done to find out how or why a person has died, or to learn about a disease or injury. | |||
An autopsy is done by a doctor called a pathologist. This type of doctor is an expert in diagnosing diseases. | |||
The autopsy is usually carried out within 48 hours of the death. Once it is completed, the body is released to the representative of the deceased. Funeral arrangements can then go ahead. | |||
===When is an autopsy done?=== | |||
Family members may ask for an autopsy to be done after a loved one has died. This is called a requested autopsy. | |||
Sometimes an autopsy is required by law. This is called a required autopsy. | |||
Family members may ask for an autopsy: | |||
* when the loved one died from a medical problem that had not been diagnosed before death | |||
* if there are questions about a sudden death that appears to be from natural causes | |||
* if there are concerns about genetic problems that family members may also be at risk for | |||
Situations in which the law may require an | |||
autopsy include: | |||
* sudden or unexpected death, such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) | |||
* death caused by an injury, including suicide, murder, an accident, drug overdose, or poisoning | |||
* deaths that are suspicious | |||