Who has the authority to declare casualties dead?

The authority to declare casualties dead typically rests with a physician. This is because a physician is legally recognized as having the medical training and expertise necessary to assess the condition of an individual and determine whether they meet the criteria for death. This determination often involves a thorough examination and consideration of vital signs, as well as adherence to medical standards and protocols regarding death.

While other professionals, such as first responders and paramedics, play important roles in emergency situations—often being the first to provide care and assess the scene—they do not possess the same level of authority as a physician when it comes to legally declaring death. Nurses are integral to patient care and can perform many critical functions, but the final declaration of death must be made by a physician who can complete death certificates and formally pronounce the individual deceased. This legal and medical responsibility underscores the physician's role in ensuring that such determinations are made accurately and in compliance with healthcare regulations.