What are the Four Categories of Death? – How are They Classified?
If you ask people what are the four categories of death, many will tell you things such as wounds, illness and many others. Although they can lead to death, the fact still remains that each causes affects people physiology in different ways. The manner of death usually address the main thing that made the person to die and it is usually determined by a pathologist when examining the deceased. In this article, we are going to discuss the four categories of death that can be determined by the pathologist when examining a dead body.
What are the Four Categories of Death?
- Natural Death
This the most common manner of death. Just as its name suggest, natural deaths usually occur from natural causes. For instance, if the autopsy reveals that natural disease process such as cancer, leukemia or heart attack led to death, then the death will be categorized as natural. Natural deaths are usually where the body ceases to function on its own.
- Accidental Death
Accidental death are those deaths that have not been planned or foreseen. They happen suddenly because of factors such as slip and fall, car accidents, and more. Accidental death are not suicide, murder or natural death. Experts say that accidental deaths occur as a result of involuntary act of violence. In addition, accidental death can also be termed as death by misadventure meaning that the victim actually died by accident when he/she was trying to do something that posed great danger to his/her life. Most deaths by misadventure death are recording from people who engage in extreme sports.
- Homicide Deaths
Homicide deaths are those that are caused by another human being. When an individual sits down and plan to take the life of another person and goes through with it, then that type of death is categorized as a homicide death. Many deaths under this category are usually recorded. Most people who kill others in cold blood usually do all they can to hide evidence that can make relevant authority trace them.
- Suicide Death
Suicide deaths usually occur when an individual takes his/her own life deliberately. Usually suicide occurs when a person feels as if they have no other option. Some people who commit suicide do so because of emotional stress caused by major depression. Suicide deaths are not classified as accidental because the person committing suicide knows that his/her action will eventually lead to death.
Bottom Line
Still wondering what are the four categories of death? Typically a death is categorized based on how the death occurred. Whether the death was natural, accidental or intentional. There is a category it will most likely belong to.