What is the meaning of "traumatic death" in forensic terms?

In forensic terminology, "traumatic death" refers to deaths that are caused by human actions, whether intentional or unintentional. This encompasses a range of scenarios where external forces lead to fatal outcomes, such as homicides, suicides, assaults, or accidents that involve human intervention. It emphasizes the impact that trauma—be it physical injuries from violence or accidents—has on the individual, ultimately leading to death.

The definition highlights the critical distinction between traumatic deaths and deaths resulting from natural causes, which arise from medical conditions or illnesses, and those classified as accidents alone, which may not always involve human actions or interventions. Additionally, deaths from unknown causes would not fit into the "traumatic" category, as the term specifically relates to events initiated through human behavior. This clear association with human action is what ultimately defines traumatic death in a forensic context.