What is commonly used to identify the reason for death in forensic medicine?

Autopsy findings are essential in forensic medicine for determining the cause of death. An autopsy, or post-mortem examination, involves a thorough investigation of the deceased's body, organs, and tissues, allowing forensic pathologists to identify any diseases, trauma, or toxic substances that may have contributed to the individual's death. The findings gathered from this examination provide crucial evidence in criminal investigations, legal proceedings, and contribute to statistical data regarding cause of death. Autopsy results can reveal details about the circumstances surrounding the death and help distinguish between natural causes, accidents, suicides, and homicides, which is integral for legal documentation and public health records.

While eyewitness testimonies, patient medical history, and social background checks might provide supplementary information in cases of unexplained deaths, they do not offer the direct physiological evidence that autopsy findings do.