Death Scene Investigation: A Field Guide

by Wagner; Scott A.

• ISBN13: 9781420086768
• ISBN10: 1420086766
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-11-24
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

Each and every death scene presents new challenges to even the most seasoned investigator. Despite the unique nature of each scenario, using a standardized protocol is the key to ensuring consistent and accurate results. Death Scene Investigation: A Field Guide provides comprehensive yet concise direction for the death scene investigator at the scene, the laboratory, or the health care facility.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xiii
Acknowledgments	p. xv
Guidelines for the Death Scene Investigator	p. 1
Purpose of the Death Investigation	p. 1
Role of the Death Scene Investigator (DSI)	p. 2
Philosophy of Death Investigation	p. 3
Notification of a Death	p. 3
Discovery of Deceased	p. 5
The Body and the Scene	p. 7
Statutory Responsibilities	p. 7
Confirm or Validate the Death	p. 7
Securing the Death Scene	p. 8
Evidence at the Death Scene	p. 9
Documentation of the Scene and the Body	p. 9
Documentation by Photography	p. 9
Documentation by Diagrams	p. 11
Forming Preliminary Opinions: Be Suspicious but Objective	p. 11
Examination of the Body at the Scene	p. 13
Pathologist's Role at the Scene	p. 14
Other Forensic Experts at the Scene	p. 15
Assessment of the Body at the Scene	p. 17
Position of the Body at the Scene	p. 17
Blood at the Scene	p. 17
Vomitus at the Scene	p. 18
Physical Examination of the Body at the Scene	p. 18
The Scene Assessment	p. 18
Starting the Scene Assessment of the Body and Time of Death	p. 19
Rigor Mortis	p. 19
Livor Mortis (Blood Settling)	p. 20
Body Cooling (Algor Mortis)	p. 22
Eyes	p. 24
Clothing	p. 24
Determining Time of Death by Scene Investigation	p. 25
Forensic Entomology and Time of Death	p. 25
Forensic Botany and Time of Death	p. 26
Decomposition	p. 26
Other Decompositional Changes	p. 27
Adipocere	p. 27
Mummification	p. 27
Detailed Physical Assessment of the Body at the Scene	p. 29
Introduction	p. 29
Common External Signs of Disease or Trauma	p. 29
General	p. 29
Skin	p. 31
Extremities	p. 34
Trunk	p. 36
The Medical History and Medical Records	p. 39
Obtaining a Medical History at the Scene	p. 39
Searching the Scene	p. 39
Obtaining Medical Records or Information by Phone	p. 40
Reviewing Medical Records	p. 42
Natural Diseases and Death Investigation	p. 45
Introduction	p. 45
Sudden Death	p. 45
Cardiac System	p. 46
Ischemic Heart Disease (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease)	p. 46
Respiratory System	p. 49
Upper Respiratory System	p. 49
Lower Respiratory System	p. 50
Gastrointestinal Tract and Pancreas	p. 55
Massive, Fatal Hematemesis (Vomiting Blood)	p. 55
Bowel Infarctions	p. 55
Pancreatitis	p. 56
Liver	p. 56
Fatty Change or Fatty Metamorphosis	p. 56
Cirrhosis	p. 57
Hepatitis	p. 57
Vascular System	p. 58
Aortic Aneurysm and Aortic Dissection	p. 58
Central Nervous System (CNS) Disorders	p. 59
Epilepsy (Seizure Disorder)	p. 59
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage	p. 59
Strokes	p. 60
Meningitis	p. 60
Encephalitis	p. 61
Systemic Diseases	p. 62
Carcinomatosis	p. 62
Sepsis, Shock, and Death	p. 62
Diabetes Mellitus	p. 63
Alcohol Abuse	p. 64
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)	p. 65
Traumatic Injuries	p. 67
Blunt Force Injuries versus Sharp Force Injuries	p. 67
The Importance of Terminology	p. 67
Blunt Force Injuries	p. 67
Features of Blunt Force Injuries	p. 68
Contusions	p. 68
Abrasions	p. 71
Lacerations (Tears)	p. 72
Avulsions	p. 74
Crush Injuries	p. 76
Fractures	p. 77
Sharp Force Injuries	p. 78
Stab Wounds	p. 78
Incised Wounds	p. 79
Hesitation Marks or Wounds	p. 80
Defense Wounds or Cuts	p. 81
Puncture Wounds	p. 81
Chopping Wounds	p. 81
Firearms and Gunshot Wounds	p. 81
Shotgun Wounds	p. 90
Description of Wounds	p. 91
Miscellaneous Firearm and Gunshot Wound Facts	p. 91
Asphyxia	p. 92
Compression of the Neck	p. 93
Chemical Asphyxia	p. 96
Suffocation	p. 96
Lack of Oxygen in the Environment: "Environmental Asphyxia"	p. 97
Mechanical and Positional Asphyxia	p. 99
Drowning	p. 100
Electrocution	p. 101
Lightning	p. 101
Fire Deaths and Thermal Injuries	p. 102
Hyperthermia	p. 103
Hypothermia	p. 103
Motor Vehicle Occupant Injuries	p. 104
Pedestrian Injuries	p. 104
Investigation of Childhood Fatalities and Child Abuse	p. 105
Battered-Child Syndrome	p. 106
Shaken (Infant) Impact Syndrome	p. 107
Neglect, a Crime of Omission	p. 108
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)	p. 108
Identification Methods	p. 111
Collection of Evidence at the Scene	p. 111
Visual Identification	p. 111
Other Visual Methods of Identification	p. 112
"Softer" Forms of Identification	p. 113
Scientific Forms of Identification	p. 113
DNA Analysis	p. 113
Fingerprints	p. 114
Dental Identification	p. 116
X-Ray Comparisons and Medical Devices	p. 116
Crime Scene Evidence Collection	p. 118
Scene Investigation and Specific Forms of Evidence	p. 118
Signs of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Treatment	p. 121
Key to Figure 9.1	p. 122
Signs of Previous Surgeries and Procedures	p. 125
Key to Figure 10.1	p. 126
The Medical-Legal Autopsy	p. 127
Purpose of the Autopsy	p. 127
Misconceptions of the Autopsy	p. 128
Jurisdiction and Permission for Autopsies	p. 128
Death Investigations Requiring an Autopsy	p. 129
Cases that Usually Require an Autopsy	p. 129
Natural Deaths	p. 130
Unnatural Deaths	p. 131
The Autopsy: Assembling a Puzzle	p. 133
External Examination of the Body	p. 134
Suiting Up: Universal Precautions	p. 134
Documenting Traumatic Injuries	p. 141
External Examination	p. 144
Specific Body Areas	p. 144
Internal Examination	p. 159
Opening of Body Cavities and Initial Assessment	p. 159
Individual Organ Exam	p. 163
Examination of the Head, Skull, Brain, and Spinal Cord	p. 164
Microscopic Examination	p. 165
Postmortem Laboratory Analysis	p. 167
Specimens to Obtain at Autopsy	p. 175
Certifying the Death	p. 182
Forensic Experts	p. 185
Introduction	p. 185
Accident Reconstructionist	p. 185
Forensic Anthropologist	p. 185
Forensic Botanist	p. 186
Forensic Geologist	p. 186
Crime Scene Technician	p. 186
Criminalist and Criminalistics	p. 187
Forensic Engineer	p. 187
Forensic Entomologist	p. 188
Forensic Pathologist	p. 188
Forensic Odontologist (Dentist)	p. 189
Forensic Radiologist	p. 189
Questioned Documents Examiner	p. 189
Serologist	p. 189
Toxicologist	p. 190
Bibliography	p. 191
Medical Terminology	p. 193
Prescription Medicines	p. 203
Index	p. 223
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