1. Death Investigation

2. DEATH INVESTIGATION - M.E. involvement - Time of death estimates
- Scene indicators

3. Cause of death What physically caused the persons death
Blunt trauma, gunshot wound

4. Time of death Time is only an estimate - within a range
There is no single marker to determine time of death
Estimate is better with a short period of time between the death and the discovery

5. Methods to help determine time of death
If the death is discovered within hours the methods used will include; body temperature, rigor mortis, lividity and scene/investigative information
If the death is discovered after that period it may be necessary to utilize experts such as entomologists, anthropologists and botanists

6. Body temperature
Assumes a normal body temperature at the time of death
More rapid with a large difference in ambient temp. & during the first several hours

7. Body Temperature – heat as a variable

8. Heat as a variable

9. Body temperature
Temp. falls continuously until it reaches ambient temp. - usually hours
Temperature is maintained within a narrow range by normal metabolism
Can be taken rectally or with an abdominal incision and placing a thermometer in the liver

10. Body temperature RAISED BY: illness infection activity
active decomposition
REDUCED BY:
sleep
exposure to water, cold or wind

11. Body temperature REDUCED HEAT LOSS: obesity/ body size clothing
bedding (water bed/electric blanket)
confined - small space
ACCELERATED HEAT LOSS:
small body size
no clothes
large area
exposed to cold, wind or water

12. Rigor mortis The onset of stiffness in the muscles
Two stages: going up going down
ALL other factors must be taken into account in the estimation

13. Rigor mortis

14. Rigor mortis – small muscle group

15. Rigor mortis

16. Detectable - approximately 1-6 hours after death
Maximum - approximately hours after death
Disappears approximately 48 hours after death

17. First detected in the muscles of the neck and jaw then proceeds to larger muscle groups
Muscular development a factor - very young and very old will have less rigidity

18. LIVIDITY
Blood settles to the lowest portions of the body due to gravity
Often confused with bruising
Can indicate movement of body and time since death

19. First detectable 2 - 4 hours after death
Reaches maximum hours after death
Once “fixed” it will not blanch w/pressure

20. Lividity

21. Changes in the eyes
Petechiae - rupture of small blood vessels - resulting in pinpoint red dots
Common in asphyxial deaths - but can be seen in a situation w/ elevated blood pressure
An indicator - NOT an absolute

22. Petechiae

24. Medications
Note or take those present
Counts
ID of pills

25. Decomposition Combination of two processes:
Autolysis - softening & liquification of tissue by chemical breakdown
Bacterial action - conversion of soft tissue to liquids & gases

26. Lower right quadrant

27. Autolysis

28. Scene markers Uncollected mail Newspapers Lights on/off How dressed
Type of food out or dirty dishes
Dated receipts/ papers on person
When last seen

29. Unique/ unusual cases

31. Hangings

33. Accidental hanging

35. SIDS Death Reconstruction is critical
Transport of an obviously dead body complicates the case
Compassion…
SIDS is a garbage can diagnosis

36. Identification Is actually the responsibility of the Medical Examiner
Methods;
Visual ID
Fingerprints
Dental records
Scars, marks, tattoos
Medical info – pins etc.

37. Identification
The police have to know who it is to start their investigation
Police and M.E. must work together on this
Inner circle…
Outer circle…
First 24 hours in investigation is critical

38. Notification of next of kin
Should be done ASAP
Can help with personal and medical information
If the deceased was your family you would want to know right away
At least two officers to make notification
Do this in person if possible

39. Pattern injuries Always try to identify what created the pattern
Have different people look at it to ID
Review the scene carefully

40. Pattern injuries Do not try to “fit” the item to the injury
Do a side by side comparison and document photographically

41. Overall patterns Look at the scene for overall patterns
Can assist in repositioning victim

42. Overall patterns

43. He got the last word…

44. Bifurcated injuries

45. Bifurcated injuries