A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:
- General physical examination-uncertain signs of death:
- Pulse (pulselessness)/auscultation (listening) of the heart.
- Pupillary reaction (wide pupils?)
- Absence of central reflexes
Cave: Only sure signs of death such as livor mortis, rigor mortis and putrefaction allowdeath certificate. Since this condition usually does not present itself to an emergency physician, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation must be performed immediately.
