Using Heal to tell if a creature is dead

[Ahnehnois]

I seem to recall there was a Heal check to essentially "check for vital signs", i.e. to determine whether a creature is unconscious or dead. I can't find a reference for this skill use; the closest I came is the DC to tell if a creature paralyzed by a lich is alive or not (Heal DC 15).

It came up as a minor point in my game when some PCs knocked a character unconscious and other NPCs thought she was dead. It all worked out fine (I just guessed the DC at 10 and eventually an NPC managed to make that) but I justed wanted to know if anyone was aware of an official rule on how to tell if someone is unconscious or dead.

 

[Dandu]

Hm. I don't know of any, though a DC10 check would make sense.

(Although some times you need a professional in order to tell if someone's dead or not in certain circumstances, so it might require being adjusted up by a few points depending on the situation)

 

[frankthedm]

Hm. I don't know of any, though a DC10 check would make sense.

(Although some times you need a professional in order to tell if someone's dead or not in certain circumstances, so it might require being adjusted up by a few points depending on the situation)

This is somewhat related...

Paralyzing Touch (Su)
Any living creature a lich hits with its touch attack must succeed on a Fortitude save or be permanently paralyzed. Remove paralysis or any spell that can remove a curse can free the victim (see the bestow curse spell description).

The effect cannot be dispelled. Anyone paralyzed by a lich seems dead, though a DC 20 Spot check or a DC 15 Heal check reveals that the victim is still alive..

 

[shadyizok]

Yeah I'dd call that normally you'dd have to get a DC10 heal check (anyone can feel for a pulse and/or breath) but make it 15 for something that's not dead but appears so, like the lich's paralyzing touch.
Also, instead of saying it's inconslusive you could say it's dead (when it paralyzed). That could make an interesting event where the rest of the party loots it's paralyzed member only to leave it waking up in the Lich's lair!

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

I generally agree with folks here. DC 10 for a typical check, a higher DC for special cases (eg, the lich paralysis, certain poisons, feign death, etc).

Also, instead of saying it's inconslusive you could say it's dead (when it paralyzed). That could make an interesting event where the rest of the party loots it's paralyzed member only to leave it waking up in the Lich's lair!

This is a nice idea, though I'd probably base it on some sort of WIS check, kind of like when you make a WIS check on a failed Decipher Script check to avoid drawing a false conclusion.