Chapter 9 Death Investigations

Chapter Objectives Summarize legal characteristics of homicide. Describe how a homicide investigation is conducted. Explain how time of death is estimated. Explain the use of gunshot wounds as evidence in death investigations.

Summarize legal characteristics of homicide. Learning Objective 9.1 Summarize legal characteristics of homicide.

Legal Characteristics of Homicides Murder The most serious statutory crime Death penalty or life in prison Some states classify murder in as first or second degree. continued on next slide

Legal Characteristics of Homicides Manslaughter Deliberate killing of another Voluntary Involuntary

Describe how a homicide investigation is conducted. Learning Objective 9.2 Describe how a homicide investigation is conducted.

Homicide Investigation Protect the crime scene. Take notes. Identify the victim.

Explain how time of death is estimated. Learning Objective 9.3 Explain how time of death is estimated.

Estimating Time of Death Changes in the body during decomposition Stage 1 The fresh stage Stage 2 The putrefaction stage Stage 3 The black putrefaction stage continued on next slide

Estimating Time of Death Changes in the body during decomposition Stage 4 The butyric fermentation stage Stage 5 The dry decay stage continued on next slide

Estimating Time of Death The forensics of decomposition Pathology Entomology Anthropology continued on next slide

Estimating Time of Death Factors affecting decomposition Temperature Availability of oxygen Prior embalming Cause of death Access by scavengers Trauma continued on next slide

Estimating Time of Death Factors affecting decomposition Humidity or wetness Rainfall Body size and weight Clothing Surface on which the body rests Food and objects inside the specimen's digestive tract continued on next slide

Estimating Time of Death Other visual evidence of decomposition Body color Changes in eyes Temperature of the body Rigor mortis Postmortem lividity

Explain the use of gunshot wounds as evidence in death investigations. Learning Objective 9.4 Explain the use of gunshot wounds as evidence in death investigations.

Gunshot Wounds as Evidence Assessing the severity of gunshot wounds Specific type of weapon used Weapon's caliber Bullet design and velocity Range at which the victim was shot Path of the wound Number of wounds continued on next slide

Gunshot Wounds as Evidence Entrance wound Smaller and neat hole with an abrasion mark accompanied by a blackish-gray ring around the edges Minimal bleeding continued on next slide

Gunshot Wounds as Evidence Exit wound Larger wound with ragged or torn appearance Will typically have larger amount of blood continued on next slide

Gunshot Wounds as Evidence Defense wounds Usually deep and concentrated Forearms, palms, hands

Chapter Summary Criminal investigators encounter wrongful death in many ways. The responding officer must protect the crime scene from unauthorized persons and begin note taking. The time of death in a homicide case is one of the most critical variables in its investigation. continued on next slide

Chapter Summary One issue of critical importance in investigating gunshot wounds is the determination of whether or not the victim was murdered or died from suicide.