Dying declaration

Dying declaration is a term used in the legal and medical fields. It refers to a statement made by a person who believes they are about to die, regarding the circumstances of their impending death or the events leading up to it. This statement is often used as evidence in a court of law.

Pronunciation

/dʌɪɪŋ dɛkləˈreɪʃən/

Etymology

The term "dying declaration" is derived from the English language. "Dying" comes from the Old English dygan, meaning "to die", and "declaration" comes from the Latin declarare, meaning "to make clear".

Related Terms

Hearsay: A statement made out of court that is offered in court as evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.
Res gestae: A legal term often used to refer to statements made by individuals immediately following a shocking event.
Last words: The final words said by a person before their death.
Deathbed confession: A confession or important statement made on one's deathbed, regarding a crime or other significant event.

Legal Significance

In many jurisdictions, a dying declaration is considered an exception to the hearsay rule. This is based on the belief that a person who is about to die would have no reason to lie. Therefore, their final words are considered to be reliable and can be used as evidence in court. However, for a dying declaration to be admissible, the declarant must have been in a state where they genuinely believed their death was imminent.

Medical Significance

In the medical field, a dying declaration can provide important information about the cause of a patient's death. This can be particularly useful in cases where the cause of death is not immediately apparent, such as in cases of poisoning or other covert causes.