NCJ Number
44521
Date Published
1976
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A PATHOLOGIST PRESENT AT CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATIONS AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS HE CAN MAKE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE POSSIBLE FUNCTIONS OF VARIOUS MEDICAL SPECIALISTS AT THE CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. DEPENDING UPON THE TYPES OF EVIDENCE FOUND AT THE SCENE, POLICE INVESTIGATORS MAY WISH TO CALL IN A FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGIST, ODONTOLOGIST, SEROLOGIST, OR EVEN A FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIST. SAMPLES AND SPECIMENS CAN GET STALE IF COLLECTED BY AN INEXPERIENCED POLICE OFFICER AND ONLY LATER TRANSPORTED TO AND ANALYZED BY A PATHOLOGIST. FOR THIS REASON, A MEDICAL EXAMINER SHOULD BE PART OF THE CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION TEAM. IF HE IS PRESENT, HE CAN DETERMINE WHICH SAMPLES ARE IMPORTANT TO ANALYZE, COLLECT THE SAMPLES, AND ANALYZE THEM RIGHT AWAY. IN ADDITION, THE DETECTIVE WHO IS CONDUCTING THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE PRESENT AT THE AUTOPSY, SO THAT HE CAN BEGIN INTERPRETING THE AUTOPSY FINDINGS RIGHT AWAY. THE SCENE OF THE SHARON TATE MURDERS IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL. THE AUTHOR EXPLAINS HOW THE TYPES OF WOUNDS, THEIR PATTERNS, AND OTHER EVIDENCE MAY INDICATE HOW AND WHEN THE MURDER TOOK PLACE AND MAY EVEN SHOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE KILLER'S MOTIVES, THE TYPE OF WEAPON USED, AND POSSIBLE CONNECTIONS WITH OTHER CASES. THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A TEAM WORK ON THE INVESTIGATION IS STRESSED; IT SHOULD INCLUDE AT LEAST POLICE INVESTIGATORS, PATHOLOGISTS, AND ANY OTHER MEDICAL EXPERTS NECESSARY. (VDA)