Guidance

Sudden unexpected death: medical investigation

Provides advice for forensic practitioners on dealing with the initial stages of a sudden and unexplained death.

• From: Home Office
• Published: 25 October 2017
• Last updated: 7 March 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Practice advice: Dealing with sudden unexpected death (accessible)

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Practice advice: Dealing with sudden unexpected death

PDF, 470 KB, 10 pages

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Practice advice: The medical investigation of suspected homicide (accessible)

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Practice advice: The medical investigation of suspected homicide

PDF, 777 KB, 57 pages

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Details

This guidance provides advice on dealing with the initial stages of a sudden and unexplained death, for those cases where a decision is made that medical assistance is required. It also covers the role and provision of forensic pathology assistance in police death investigations.

Published 25 October 2017

Last updated 7 March 2024 + show all updates

1. 7 March 2024

   Published updated versions of dealing with sudden unexpected death and the medical investigation of suspected homicide practice advice guides.

2. 3 May 2019

   Sudden unexpected death guidance updated.

3. 25 October 2017

   First published.