Criteria for definite or highly probable: all of the following:
(1) death was unexpected
(2) fatal attack was sudden (but death might not occur for several hours)
(3) person has a history of epilepsy
(4) person was otherwise healthy
(5) no medical cause of death found
(6) death occurred during normal activities, in benign circumstances
Evidence for terminal seizure if unwitnessed: one or more of the following:
(1) body found half on and half off the bed
(2) urinary incontinence at the scene
(3) bitten lips or tongue
Possible SUDEP:
(1) most but not all of the criteria required for a definite diagnosis
(2) body found in water without evidence of drowning
(3) aspiration confirmed or suspected
Exclusion of SUDEP:
(1) status epilepticus identified
(2) acute trauma in the setting of a seizure
