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Death Investigation
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DEATH INVESTIGATION - M.E. involvement - Time of death estimates
- Scene indicators
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Cause of death What physically caused the persons death
Blunt trauma, gunshot wound
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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
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Methods to help determine time of death
If the death is discovered within 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
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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
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Body Temperature – heat as a variable
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Heat as a variable
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Body temperature Temp. falls continuously until it reaches ambient temp. - usually 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
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Body temperature RAISED BY: illness infection activity
active decomposition REDUCED BY: sleep exposure to water, cold or wind
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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
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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
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Rigor mortis
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Rigor mortis – small muscle group
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Rigor mortis
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Detectable - approximately 1-6 hours after death
Maximum - approximately hours after death Disappears approximately 48 hours after death
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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
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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
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First detectable 2 - 4 hours after death
Reaches maximum hours after death Once “fixed” it will not blanch w/pressure
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Lividity
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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
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Petechiae
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Medications Note or take those present Counts ID of pills
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Decomposition Combination of two processes:
Autolysis - softening & liquification of tissue by chemical breakdown Bacterial action - conversion of soft tissue to liquids & gases
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Lower right quadrant
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Autolysis
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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
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Unique/ unusual cases
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Hangings
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Accidental hanging
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SIDS Death Reconstruction is critical
Transport of an obviously dead body complicates the case Compassion… SIDS is a garbage can diagnosis
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Identification Is actually the responsibility of the Medical Examiner
Methods; Visual ID Fingerprints Dental records Scars, marks, tattoos Medical info – pins etc.
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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
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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
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Pattern injuries Always try to identify what created the pattern
Have different people look at it to ID Review the scene carefully
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Pattern injuries Do not try to “fit” the item to the injury
Do a side by side comparison and document photographically
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Overall patterns Look at the scene for overall patterns
Can assist in repositioning victim
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Overall patterns
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He got the last word…
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Bifurcated injuries
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Bifurcated injuries
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