Investigation of Traumatic Deaths Homicidal and Suicidal Deaths
Homicide Felonious Punishable Murder Manslaughter Non-Felonious Excused : to some degree at fault Accidental death Results from self-defense Justified is the necessary killing of another person in performance of a legal duty
SUICIDE Shooting Hanging Ingesting sleeping pills Drowning Cutting and Piercing ingesting of poisons Inhaling gases Jumping from high places Intentionally crashing an automobile
Forensic Pathologist The medical specialist called to help investigate both types of crime Identify Collect Preserve Transport evidence
Evidence will be collected from body Hair Fingernail Blood Other trace evidence Fingerprints Clothing
Only after these and other procedures are completed can a homicide detective leave the crime scene, after which the leg work and chasing down leads begin