ASIS Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Guide

The correct answer is that negligent death is not one of the established five classifications of death. The five recognized classifications typically include natural, homicide, suicide, accident, and undetermined. These categories help forensic investigators and medical professionals understand the circumstances surrounding a death and are crucial for legal implications and determination of cause.

Natural death refers to deaths resulting from natural causes, such as disease or age-related issues. Homicide encompasses deaths caused by the intentional actions of another person. Suicide is characterized by an individual intentionally taking their own life. Accidental deaths are unexpected and unintentional fatalities resulting from unforeseen circumstances.

Negligent death, on the other hand, is not a standalone classification within this standard framework. Although negligence can lead to wrongful death claims and may be a factor in certain deaths, it does not constitute a separate classification in the same way that homicide or suicide does. This distinction is important for understanding death investigations and legal considerations.