Channel 5’s Cause of Death: The Coroner’s Office returns with a two-pronged investigation. First up is the seemingly straightforward case of a British tourist found dead while snorkeling in Egypt. Except, of course, nothing is ever simple in the world of forensic pathology. The body, having been embalmed overseas, presents unique challenges for Dr. Adeley and his team back in the UK. The embalming process, while preserving the body for transport, also obscures potential clues, making their task of determining the actual cause of death that much trickier. Was it a tragic accident, or something more sinister lurking beneath the surface?
The second case hits closer to home, quite literally, as the team investigates the sudden death of a woman in her fifties with a history of alcoholism. The episode takes a raw and unflinching look at the post-mortem examination process, which, let’s face it, is the bread and butter of this show. While the potential for voyeurism is always present in this kind of programming, the show usually manages to maintain a respectful balance, focusing on the scientific process and the human stories behind the statistics.
Ultimately, these cases, while disparate in their circumstances, underscore the core mission of Cause of Death: to provide closure for the bereaved and to uncover the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. Whether that truth involves exotic locales or the struggles of addiction, the show aims to remind us that every life, and every death, has a story to tell.
Cause of Death airs Wednesdays at 9:00pm on Channel 5.
