Death can be declared when there is absence of vital functions, specifically indicating irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions. This is typically determined by the absence of cardiac and respiratory activity as evidenced by the following criteria:
- No audible breath sounds for greater than 1 minute.
- No palpable pulse for greater than 1 minute.
- No palpable cardiac pacemaker activity.
- Pupils are fixed, dilated, and unreactive to light.
These findings must be observed and documented. The absence of these signs indicates a clear and definitive cessation of life, allowing for the declaration of death.
