Facts
On September 21, 2015, the heavily care-dependent [C.] passed away in the [D.] nursing home in Bern. The Regional Public Prosecutor's Office Bern-Mittelland dismissed the proceedings initiated thereafter against unknown perpetrators by order of August 17, 2016. The Cantonal Court of Bern rejected the appeal filed against this by [A.] and [B.] by decision of December 23, 2016. [A.] and [B.] are filing a criminal appeal against the decision of the Cantonal Court. [A.] was the deceased's life partner and claims compensation. [B.] is the deceased's sister, but was unable to sufficiently demonstrate her standing to appeal.Considerations
The Federal Supreme Court considers the dismissal of the proceedings to be lawful. The forensic medical report of the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IRM) properly distinguishes between the manner of death (natural death) and the cause of death (asphyxiation due to airway obstruction). The IRM report, which was prepared with the involvement of the nursing home records, denies any…