A forensic doctor must examine the body and circumstances to determine whether it reflects an injury before death, a natural process after death, or another cause. Postmortem changes can produce bloody fluid from the nostrils, so this finding alone should not be interpreted as homicide or a specific disease, as described in a review of
postmortem changes.
If the death is unexpected, suspicious, involves trauma, or has not been medically confirmed, contact emergency services/police or the local coroner. Avoid washing the face, inserting anything into the nose, or unnecessarily moving the body, since this can affect assessment.