NCJ Number
45803
Date Published
1976
Length
186 pages
Annotation
THIS GUIDE PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE AND THE LIMITATIONS OF PATHOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS, IN ORDER TO MAKE EVIDENCE PRESENTED BY PATHOLOGISTS MORE MEANINGFUL TO NONEXPERTS AND TO EXPOSE IT TO GREATER SCRUTINY.
Abstract
THE GUIDE IS CONCERNED WITH ONLY THOSE AREAS OF FORENSIC MEDICINE WHICH MOST OFTEN ARISE IN COURT. IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR ATTORNEYS CROSS-EXAMINING AN EXPERT WITNESS TO BE AWARE NOT ONLY OF THE MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY OF THE EXPERT, BUT ALSO OF THE LIMITS OF THE FIELD; THE PATOLOGIST'S TESTIMONY SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED TOTALLY WITHOUT CHALLENGE. A GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE AUTOPSY, THE PATHOLOGIST'S PRIMARY CONCERN, DESCRIBES THE BASIC MECHANICS OF DEATH AND METHODS OF DETERMINING TIME AND CAUSE OF DEATH, AS WELL AS IDENTIFICATION OF THE VICTIM AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH DEATH OCCURRED. POST MORTEM CHANGES WHICH OCCUR IN THE BODY, SUCH AS COOLING, RIGOR MORTIS, AND PUTREFACTION, ARE OUTLINED. THE IMPORTANCE OF CAREFUL DOCUMENTATION OF ALL EVIDENCE AND ITS PRESERVATION ARE EMPHASIZED. A LIST OF ITEMS WHICH SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE AUTOPSY PROTOCOL IS PROVIDED. THE QUESTIONS WHICH THE PATHOLOGIST TRIES TO ANSWER IN HIS INVESTIGATION -- WHETHER THE REMAINS ARE HUMAN, WHEN DEATH OCCURRED, WHO THE VICTIM WAS -- AND THE TYPES OF CLUES HE LOOKS FOR ARE EXAMINED. INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSIONS OF DIFFERENT CAUSES OF DEATH DETAIL COMMON MARKS ON THE BODY AND OTHER MANIFESTATIONS OF PARTICULAR INJURIES, VARIATIONS ON THE WAYS IN WHICH DEATH COULD OCCUR IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS, PHYSICAL EVIDENCE TYPICALLY SURROUNDING THE BODY, AND OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS. THESE DISCUSSIONS INCLUDE: TRAFFIC FATALITIES, POISONINGS, DROWNINGS, FIRES, DEATHS OF CHILDREN AND INFANTS, ASPHYXIA, SEXUAL ASSAULTS, STABBINGS, AND FIREARM INJURIES. PHOTOGRAPHS AND DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF VICTIMS CLARIFY THE TYPES OF EVIDENCE SOUGHT AND USED BY PATHOLOGISTS IN THEIR EXAMINATIONS. THE IDENTIFICAION OF SKELETAL REMAINS, METHODS OF EMBALMING AND MATERIALS USED, AND EXHUMATION PROCEDURES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. A GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN FORENSIC MEDICINE, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (VDA)