Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County Medical Examiners District

 What is a Medicolegal Death Investigator?  Why is the Medical Examiners Office Here?  What can the Medical Examiners Office do to help me?

Duties of the Death Investigator  Scene Investigation  Scene Photography  Secure property that is on the deceased  Arrange for proper transportation of the body  Preserve Trace Evidence  ID the Deceased  Notify the Next of Kin  Obtain medical records of the Deceased

In Other Words:  The Forensic Death Investigator is the “Eyes and Ears” of the Forensic Pathologist

Goal: To conduct a thorough, independent, investigation of the circumstances surrounding a death to provide the Forensic Pathologist factual data to be used in conjunction with the examination findings in order to reach a conclusion as to the Cause and Manner of Death

Types of Jurisdictions in Texas  A) Medical Examiner  B) Justice of the Peace

Medical Examiners Authority  Texas ccp. Art  Death occurring outside of a hospital, within 24 hours of admission, or due to possible trauma or foul play.  Death that occurs in custody  Death of a child under age 6  Any death in which an attending physician is unable to certify as to the cause of death

Scene Investigation.  Thorough examination of the scene seeking details or items that may be related to the death

Be alert for potential Hazards

Document:  Postmortem changes  Position of the body  Trauma  Notes, or messages (computer, audio & Video Tapes)

 Illegal drugs  Alcoholic beverages  Weapons  Medications

 Blood Evidence (stains, spatter)

Useful Information  Medical History  Medications and Container pharmacy, physician, amount filled, date filled,amount remaining  Identification Documents

Photography Photograph Surroundings And Items that may be Pertinent to the investigation

Exam of Body  General description of body and clothing  Assessment of trauma  Post-mortem changes  Blood evidence  Physical and trace evidence  Presence or absence of valuables

Rigor Mortis  Starts in ½ to 1 hour at room temperature  Peaks in approximately 12 hours  Gradually declines after another 12 hours  Can be affected by environment, antemortem activity, and drug use.

Livor Mortis  “Pooling of the blood”  Is “blanchable” at first then gradually becomes fixed.  Can indicate if a body has been moved after death.  Color can indicate possible CO poisoning

Body Temperature  Algor Mortis

Decomposition  Begins at death.  Is strongly affected by environment.  Is caused by action of body enzymes, and bacteria on tissue.  Is slowed by immersion, burial, cold.  1 week in air = 2 weeks in water = 8 weeks in soil

Types of Trauma  Blunt Force  Sharp Force  Electrical  Chemical  Thermal

Trace Evidence Preservation  Bags on Hands, Feet ect….  Paper not Plastic  Wrapping in clean white sheet  Placement in transport pouch.  Alerting Prosector if biological evidence is possibly present.

Identification  Done on scene if situation permits.  Otherwise accomplished at the TCME Office using Forensic methods

Types of Identification  Circumstantial  Visual  Forensic

Methods of Circumstantial Identification  Clothing  Jewelry  Place, Time, and/or Event

Methods of Visual Identification  In Person  By Photograph  Remote Viewing

Methods of Forensic Identification  Dental  X-Rays (Anthropologic)  Fingerprints  DNA

Position of the body  Is it consistent with observed rigor, and lividity?  Has the body been “posed”?  Has the body been moves or dumped?

Autopsy Elements  Examination of the scene  Identification of the decedent  External and internal examination  Toxicological and histological studies  Interviews with witnesses, doctors, etc.  Evaluation of relevant records

Autopsy Findings  Type of weapon used  Consistency of wounds and evidence  Determination of fatal wound  Length of time of victim survival  Post-injury abilities of decedent  Whether body was dragged or dumped  Vectors of applied force

Autopsy Purposes  Establish cause and manner of death  Identify, recover, and preserve evidence  Provide factual, objective medical report  Separate natural deaths from unnatural  Provide interpretation and correlation of facts and circumstances

Cause Of Death  Gunshot wound to head  Transection of aorta due to stab wound  Cardio-respiratory Arrest

Manner of Death  Natural  Accidental  Homicide  Suicide  Undetermined

Services Provided by the Tarrant-Parker& Denton County Medical Examiners District  Examination  Identification (Forensic Odentologist)  Toxicology  Firearms examination  Fingerprint Examination (In House AFIS)  Questioned Document Examination

 Photography Lab  Anthropology Lab  DNA Testing  Histology Lab  Courtroom Testimony

Conclusion  The Medicolegal Death Investigator gathers Facts, and acts as the liaison on the scene between the Law Enforcement Investigator, and the Forensic Pathologist.  The Medical Examiners Office is present to determine the cause and manner death

 The Medical Examiners Office can assist your investigation through the collection and scientific analysis of facts and evidence.