NCJ Number
93433
Editor(s)
B A Lipskin,
K S Field
Date Published
Unknown
Length
319 pages
Annotation
Guidelines to a multidisciplinary approach to death investigations follow the order of an average investigation, covering the death scene, examination of the body, toxicology, dental evidence, forensic anthropology, the death certificate, evidence management, and jurisdictional issues.
Abstract
The book begins with an illustrative case depicting a plausible death to demonstrate the contributions made by each member of a death investigation team. The chapter on physical scene investigation offers general definitions and suggestions for officers and then explores protective measures, recording the scene, search patterns, and collection and preservation of evidence. Procedures governing handling of the body at the scene are outlined, such as initial death notification, documenting the location where the body was found, a comprehensive description of the victim, estimating the time of death, transporting the victim to the morgue and establishing identity, and notifying next of kin. Guidelines for pathologists focus on external examination of the body and the autopsy. They also cover administrative matters such as attendance at the autopsy and equipment. The explanation of toxicology's role in death investigations includes guidelines for specimen selection and collection, quantities and handling of specimens, and embalming. Other sections review dental evidence, including identification, dental trauma, and bitemarks; and the analysis of skeletal remains by forensic anthropologists. The book surveys the history and uses of the death certificate and its place in the investigation. Evidence management procedures to establish continuity of possession and protection from contamination are discussed, as are laws governing the preservation of physical evidence. The final chapter identifies situations where Federal jurisdiction may be exclusive and those where concurrent jurisdiction is shared with local authorities. Checklists accompany each chapter. Approximately 50 references are supplied.