Autopsy - the dissection of a body for the purpose of examining organs and tissues to determine the cause of death, manner of death or the identity of the deceased and may include chemical, histological, microbiological and other laboratory investigations.

Board – means the Fatality Review Board.

Body – a dead human body or the remains of a dead human body.

Cause of death – "why" the person died; the medical reason for death.

Common law spouse – a man or woman who, although not legally married to the deceased, lived and cohabited with the deceased immediately prior to the deceased’s death as the deceased’s spouse and was known as such in the community in which they lived.

Manner of death – "how" the person died; a one word description of intentions and circumstances which led to the stated medical cause of death.

Next of kin – the mother, father, children, brothers, sisters, spouse and common law spouse of a deceased person.

Pathologist – a physician who is the holder of a certificate as a specialist in pathology pursuant to the by-laws of the council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Province of Alberta.