Table 2.

Strength of Inference That a Death is Likely a Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) At the Time of Medicolegal Autopsy – Common Forensic Scenarios

Scenario*	Likelihood of SCD
Previously well with witnessed sudden collapse at sporting event, shoveling driveway, during sex, or any other physical activity	High
Found dead (unwitnessed) when only seen a few minutes to an hour or so earlier	Good
Found dead and not seen for many hours	Possible
Found dead and not seen for days with decompositional changes	Unclear

^*Baseline assumption: no anatomical or toxicological cause for death is identified at autopsy and the scene is benign.