Death Investigation

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

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

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

Methods to help determine time of death If the death is discovered within 24-48 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

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

Body Temperature – heat as a variable

Heat as a variable

Body temperature Temp. falls continuously until it reaches ambient temp. - usually 20-25 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

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

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

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

Rigor mortis

Rigor mortis – small muscle group

Rigor mortis

Detectable - approximately 1-6 hours after death Maximum - approximately 12-24 hours after death Disappears approximately 48 hours after death

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

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

First detectable 2 - 4 hours after death Reaches maximum 8 - 12 hours after death Once “fixed” it will not blanch w/pressure

Lividity

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

Petechiae

Medications Note or take those present Counts ID of pills

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

Lower right quadrant

Autolysis

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

Unique/ unusual cases

Hangings

Accidental hanging

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall patterns

He got the last word…

Bifurcated injuries

Bifurcated injuries