Die Leichenschau [ Reliable ]

Doctors must distinguish between natural death (from internal illness) and non-natural/unclear death (accident, suicide, or crime).

The responsibility falls strictly on physicians, though the specific type of doctor often depends on where the death occurred: Die Leichenschau

The (post-mortem examination) is the formal medical examination of a deceased person to confirm death, determine the cause and manner of death, and establish the time of death. It is a legal requirement in Germany and a critical step before a death certificate can be issued or a funeral can take place. 1. Purpose and Legal Framework Totenflecke or Totenstarre ).

Resident hospital physicians typically handle the procedure. Die Leichenschau

It contributes to the official mortality statistics used for healthcare planning. 2. Who Performs the Examination?

The examination serves several vital functions beyond simply confirming a person has passed:

It ensures death is certain by identifying "sure signs of death" (e.g., Totenflecke or Totenstarre ).