Chapter 2.3 Notes Murder Scene

Most important piece of evidence is the victim’s dead body Most important piece of evidence is the victim’s dead body Questions asked by Forensic Pathologists Questions asked by Forensic Pathologists Who is the victim? Who is the victim? What injuries are present? What injuries are present? When did the injuries occur? When did the injuries occur? Why & How were the injuries produced? Why & How were the injuries produced?

Forensic Pathologist Determine cause of death Determine cause of death Conduct an autopsy Conduct an autopsy Observation to determine cause of death Observation to determine cause of death 5 categories 5 categories Estimate time of death Estimate time of death

Forensic Anthropology Bones are remarkable durable Bones are remarkable durable Undergo extremely slow breakdown process Undergo extremely slow breakdown process Multitude of individual characteristics Multitude of individual characteristics Sex, age, race, and injury Sex, age, race, and injury Create facial reconstruction Create facial reconstruction

Legal Considerations at the Crime Scene Removal of evidence from a person or crime scene must conform to the 4 th amendment “ unreasonable search and seizure ” Removal of evidence from a person or crime scene must conform to the 4 th amendment “ unreasonable search and seizure ” Warrantless searches may occur if: Warrantless searches may occur if: 1. emergency exists 2. prevention immediate loss or destruction of evidence 3. if the person is under arrest, person and immediate area may be searched 4. consent

Cases decided on the issue Mincey v. Arizona Mincey v. Arizona Michigan v. Tyler Michigan v. Tyler

In-Class Assignment/Homework 2.3 Review Questions 2.3 Review Questions