1. Chapter 9
Death Investigations

2. 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.

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

4. 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.
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5. Legal Characteristics of Homicides
Manslaughter
Deliberate killing of another
Voluntary
Involuntary

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

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

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

9. 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
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10. Estimating Time of Death
Changes in the body during decomposition
Stage 4
The butyric fermentation stage
Stage 5
The dry decay stage
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11. Estimating Time of Death
The forensics of decomposition
Pathology
Entomology
Anthropology
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12. Estimating Time of Death
Factors affecting decomposition
Temperature
Availability of oxygen
Prior embalming
Cause of death
Access by scavengers
Trauma
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13. 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
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14. Estimating Time of Death
Other visual evidence of decomposition
Body color
Changes in eyes
Temperature of the body
Rigor mortis
Postmortem lividity

15. 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.

16. 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
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17. 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
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18. Gunshot Wounds as Evidence
Exit wound
Larger wound with ragged or torn appearance
Will typically have larger amount of blood
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19. Gunshot Wounds as Evidence
Defense wounds
Usually deep and concentrated
Forearms, palms, hands

20. 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.
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21. 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.