Death Investigations: Final
Personality Disorders
-"big five" theory --OCEAN- acronym 5 super-traits ---
Algor Mortis
-(latin: algor = coldness; mortis = of death) -is the change in the body temperature following death -there is generally a steady decline until matching ambient temperature, although external factors can have a significant influence -1.5-2 degrees lost per hour
Serial Murder: Fact or Fiction
-1 in 5 serial killers is black --fact -there have not been any serial killers --myth; neary 17% are female -insanity is commonly used as a defense --myth; insanity is a legal term; only 2-4% of offenders are legally insane -serial murder is always sexual --myth -serial murderers are always ruthless --myth -serial killers are driven to kill because they were sexually abused as children --myth; many kill as a result of rejection and abandonment as children -serial killers are of average intelligence --fact -victims are always beaten, stabbed, strangled, or tortured to death --myth; some victims are poisoned or shot -serial murderers are blood thirsty --myth -serial murderers live a Jekyll and Hyde existence --myth -not all serial killers are psychopaths --fact -hair-fiber evidence became critical in convicting Wayne Williams --fact -females are more commonly victims of murder than males --myth; over 77% of murder victims are male
Holmes and Deburger
-4 types of serial killers (p. 38-39) 1. visionary type 2. mission oriented 3. hedonistic type 4. power/control oriented
Livor Mortis
-AKA: livor or lividity -discoloration of the body after death -blood settling due to gravity -purple -areas not discolored because of compression of skin -blanchable refers to the early post mortem period when pressure applied by a hand will dispel the blood in an area of dependent livor and appear uniformly pale then slowly return to pink -liquid condition of blood remains for the first 3-4 hours becomes relatively fixed after 6-8 hours -difficult to see in dark skinned individuals
History of Criminalistics
-Alphonse Bertillion (France) --anthropometry -Edmond Locard (France) --frist crime lab in France (1910) --Locard's exchange principle -August Vollmer (LA, CA) --first American crime lab (1923) -Calvin Goddard (Chicago, IL) --ballistics (1929)
Mental Illness and Personality Disorders
-DSM-5 --psychosis- state in which a person loses contact with reality in specific ways ---delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech ----research discounts nations that psychotics are particularly dangerous people ----sent to institutions for criminally insane ----Vitck v. Jones (1980) -----administrative hearings are mandatory prior to transferring psychotic individuals to institutions for the criminally insane
The Role of DSI and First Responder
-Goddard -ballistics and firearms -Locard's principle of exchange: you leave a trace of yourself everywhere you go
Case Flow
-How does a case come to the attention of an investigator? -What does and investigator do when he/she arrives? -How does the investigator start gathering the information? -How does the investigator get the body to the office? -What happens to the body when it gets to the office? -What happens during the autopsy? -What does the investigator returns to the office? -What happens after the autopsy? -How does the body get back to the family? -What happens with the paperwork?
Who is this man?
-Hugo Marcus Selenski -news article -unified judicial portal
Serial Killers
-Jerry Burdos: Lust Killer (1983) -Randy Woodfield: I-5 Killer (1984) -Harvey Carigan: The Want-Ad Killer (1988) -Gary Ridgway: The Green River Killer --convicted of the most murders in U.S. history -South Side Slayer --believed to have killed 12 women -CA- average length of time for appeals process = greater than 16 years
Medical and Social History
-RP- roommate, spouse, family member -complaints -drinking -drug use -smoking -occupation -hospitalizations/doctor visits -family history of sudden death -observations --antacid use, OTC med. use, examination of the trash, alcohol bottles, drug residue -treating physicians name -dentist
Psychoanalytic Factors
-Sigmind Frued --3-part personality ---Id (I want it and I want it now); devil ---Ego (in between the other two) ---Superego (I can't have it right now and this is why); angel --Gallagher (1987)- conflict between id and superego- conflict between innate human needs and societal norms ---stems from childhood trauma --fixations ---oral fixation ---anal fixation
Hypothermia
-a core body temperate below 95 degrees F or 35 degrees C
Wadding
-a disc composed of cork or cardboard used to separate the shot from the gunpowder and creates a more efficient explosion by containing the gas in the gunpowder area of the shot shell
Blunt-Force Injuries
-a force is applied to the surface of the body or where the body comes in contact with a surface causing an injury -patterns created by surface aid interpretation of how injury occurred
Projectile
-a generic term used to describe anything exiting a weapon
Cardiomyopathy
-a group of diseases of the heart muscle cells causing the heart to assume an enlarged or dilated chamber size, resulting in decreased pumping efficiency and heart failure
Handgun
-a handheld weapon that varies from high to low velocity depending on the capability of that gun's barrel diameter corresponding to caliber, barrel length, and type of ammunition used
Shotgun
-a high-velocity weapon that utilized shot shells rather than bullets as projectiles and is usually described by gauge rather than caliber
Chain of Custody
-a listing of any seized evidence in sequence and noted in the fashion as the identifying marks on the package -signature of the person who collected the evidence -signature of each person evidence is transferred to ........
Choke
-a mechanism on a shot gun that is used to prevent scatter of pellets; the tapered end at the end of the shot gun on the inside of the barrel
Chronic Obtrusive Pulmonary Disease
-a pathology term describing both emphysema and chronic bronchitis
Power Piston
-a plastic form of wadding that lines the inside of the shotgun shell and serves the same purpose as the cardboard discs; separates shots aka little balls from the rest of everything
Berry Aneurysm
-a saccular area of one of the arteries at the base of the brain caused by a weakness of the arterial muscular wall
Collection of Evidence
-a sturdy box is useful for transport -blade and handle need to be protected --blood traces and fingerprints -blood can become entrapped in tiles, baseboards near floors, behind door knobs, and various other cracks -documentation of clothes includes laying out each item and demonstrating knife injuries through the surface it presents -knife should not be removed from body prior to being examined by a physician
Shotgun Shell
-a term used to describe the equivalent of a cartridge but used only in a shotgun; contains the lead shot as well as the gunpowder, wadding, and primer; when all contents are expended it is called a shot case
Primer
-a volatile explosive material that come in contact with the firing pin and precipitates the ignition of the gunpowder explosion; little silver thing on the bottom part of bullet
Foreign Objects
-airway obstructions --coins, pieces of toys, candy, paper, etc. -finger sweep of the mouth -heimlich -symptoms include inability to talk or cry with raspy breathing and panicked expression
Entrance vs. Exit
-all entrance wounds have marginal abrasion -in grave wounds, margins will be lacerated with small pointed margins pointing in direction from which bullet came from -exit wounds typically larger than entrance wounds -exit wound can appear round or as a small or large laceration, or as a small slit in the skin -exit wounds characterized by absence of marginal abrasion rather than size --no soot
Rigor Mortis
-all muscles begin to stiffen at the same time but appear at different rates because of different sizes -first apparent --jaw -when present in jaw, elbows, knees = complete rigor -full (complete) rigor is seen at the height of muscle rigidity -10-12 hours at 70-75 degrees temperature
Fractures
-amount of force needed depends on the bone, age of the individual, presence or absence of underlying disease affecting strength of bone -skull fractures may be linear (line fracture with edged abutting against each other) or depressed (bone pressed inward and tears underlying brain tissue)
Liver
-an important organ to detoxify chemicals and medications, assist with converting fats, sugars, and proteins to basic building blocks, and aid digestion via bile secretions
Pneumonia
-an infection within the lungs and can be a acquired by breathing in the infectious organism, spread to the lungs during a septic event from another primary source, or by inhaling food or saliva
Special Techniques
-anterior neck dissection --suspected strangulation --hemorrhage in neck --fractures of the hyoid bone, thyroid, or trachea- laryngeal cartilages --petchiae -removal of inner ear --look for an inner ear infection -removal of bullets embedded in bone --goal- retrieve without distorting the rifling grooves --skull key can be used to break the bone away from the bullet -subcutaneous dissection --demonstration of subcutaneous hemorrhage --child abuse
Shotgun Wounds
-appearance will differ based on distance muzzle is from skin -as muzzle increased in distance, wound will enlarge -as muzzle decreases.....
Anatomy of Bullets and Projectiles
-as bullet exits barrel, burned and unburned gunpowder and hot gasses are expelled into surrounding environment -barrels length, distance from victim, and amount and type of gunpowder will determine how much is seen on clothing and skin of victim
Asphyxia
-asphyxia: lack of oxygen to brain -hypoxia: decreased level of oxygen to the brain and vital organs -positional asphyxia: mechanical cause, compression of chest -common causes of asphyxia --hanging --strangulation --drowning
Respiratory
-asthma --air can be sucked into the lungs but unable to get it out -pneumonia common cause of death in children especially if they have an underlying disease -cystic fibrosis --inherited
Rifles
-barrel, trigger, stock, firing chamber, bolt or ________ action, magazine -there are semi-automatic rifles -magazines vary in size and can hold more bullets than semi-automatic handguns
Mechanism
-biochemical or physiological abnormality resulting in death -examples --starvation --arrhythmias of the heart --exsanguinations (bleeding)
Anatomy of a Knife
-blade -spine (not sharp side) -ricasso (little part that curves and back of knife blade) -guard or hilt -handle -butt
Blunt-Force Trauma
-blunt force injuries: those where a force is applied to the surface of the body or where the body comes into contact with a surface causing an injury -abrasions: scrape on the skin causing a loss of the superficial layers of skin -contusions: commonly known as a bruise--created by force being applied to the skin causing the rupture of the small blood vessels and bleeding into the tissue under the skin surface -lacerations: actual tear of the skin that results when the force being applied exceeds its elastic ability to stretch causing it to tear --irregular margins --avulsion: subtype of laceration--tear created a flap of skin -incision: cuts to the skin -fractures
Rigor Mortis
-body moved -arm straight up in air = body was moved after complete rigor -estimating time of death
Essential Scene Documentation
-body position, location of the weapon in relation to the body, position of casings, bullet holes in walls or ceilings, an blood splatter in relationship to body -witness statements -makes, serial number, caliber, number of spent and unspent cartridges of weapon -all items collected need to be logged into a chain of custody
Rigor Mortis
-body temperature --higher temp. => lactic acid = rigor occurs quicker -metabolic rate -AKA: post mortem rigidity or rigor -exercise before death = rigor develops quicker -process slower in cooler environment
Semi-Automatic Handgun
-bullet reloading mechanism -hammer, trigger, magazine, slide, grip, barrel -magazines vary in number of bullets they can hold -rack a bullet by pulling slide mechanism to be pulled toward handgrip -slide moves automatically after each trigger pull until magazine is empty
Drowning
-can drown in shallow water -light, puffy lungs seen in drowning cases -important scene findings include witness accounts of what happened, swimming ability, environmental conditions, alcohol use, etc. -water logged bodies very fragile -"dead mans float" -length of time for body to surface will vary -submersion in ice water can preserve body for many years -adipocere/saponification -fingerprint--ID--subcutaneous injection, formalin, or tissue builder
Anatomy of a Vehicle (2)
-car seats --1978: Tennessee first state to require child car seat use --all states require 3 or younger weighing less than 40 lbs and less than 40 inches tall be secured while traveling -air bags --late 1980's and early 1990's --upon sensors being triggered airbag will deploy --if vehicle collides with an object at an angle where sensors are not triggered, air bag will not deploy -tempered glass and laminated windshield - front glass composed of two thin sheets of glass laminated over a piece of clear plastic -site of impact will cause glass to fracture in... -lots of missed slides.......
Noxious Gasses
-carbon monoxide --tasteless, odorless, colorless gas --brain and heart most affected --neurological symptoms include progressive confusion, disorientation, eventually coma with death --"crib death" --suicide via carbon monoxide -cyanide --colorless, has an odor of burned or bitter almonds (60-80% of people detect taste) --inhaled or ingested, is lethal in high concentrations within 10 min --35 times more lethal than carbon monoxide --affects brain and heart --symptoms: disorientation, chest pain, sudden collapse --bright red livor
Livor Mortis
-carbon monoxide, cyanide, hypothermia, and refrigeration may cause lividity to be bright red -cause of death extensive blood loss = very light or nonexistent livor mortis
Manner
-circumstances surrounding the death -listed on death certificate -5 possible manners --homicide --suicide --accident --natural --undetermined -some states also add "therapeutic misadventure" for deaths related to medical intervention -importance of identifying proper cause and manner --statute of limitation on homicide (there is none) --justifiable homicide
Buried Bodies
-clandestine grave sites --attempt to conceal remains --disturbed plant flora, area usually depressed inward and concave due to body decomposition -decompose much slower then those exposed to air or water -recovery --anthropologist, archaeologist, law enforcement, death investigator --shovels, small trowels, brushes --UT Forensic Anthropology Center ---outdoor recovery course = $1000 ---field methods = $600
Hanging
-combination of a ligature around the neck and body position of either partial or full suspension -can occur in any position by something encircling the neck and leaning forward -hanging was noose can occur in a sitting, standing, kneeling, or full suspension position -not common to see fracture of neck in hangings; most fall from short distance -prisoners or psych ward patients don't have access to shoelaces or belts -any improvement in mood may indicate a resolve to perform the final act rather than true progress toward recovery -mechanism of death usually the compression of blood flow to or from the head -amount of force required to obstruct blood flow from head: 7 lbs -amount of force to obstruct arterial flow to the brain is approximately 11 lbs -as noose tightens, it will first obstruct jugular veins followed by arteries -with unconsciousness the head will drop and contribute to obstruction of blood flow by further placing weight on neck
Incompetency
-competency to stand trial -does not relate to criminal responsibility -placed in mental institution -guilty but insane --mental institution until mental state improves then transferred to prison -1984 federal government abolished irresistible impulse test
Mechanical Asphyxia
-compression asphyxia results when a mechanical device compresses the chest of the abdomen, inhibiting movement of diaphragm and lack of oxygen -motor vehicle accidents where person is pinned and can't breathe -abrasions or compression areas seen on skin and intense congestion -hemorrhage may be seen in white portions of eye and face -tardieu spots: capillaries rupture creating small hemorrhage -key to diagnosis of asphyxia
Written Report Formats
-concise summary -grammar and spelling are important -logical (chronological) flow -facts
Cardiac
-congenital heart disease, viral myocarditis, rheumatic heart disease -abnormalities occur at approximately 8-12 wks -diagnoses are occasionally missed before discharged from hospital ......
Contusion
-created by force being applied to skin causing rupture of small blood vessels and bleeding into tissue under skin surface --bruise -can vary in thickness, location, how long it is present -in decedents, biopsies of bruises can be performed and dated to a range of days -described in length and width -can be patterned --imprints from seat belts or steering wheels, bats, batons, pipes, etc.
Special Circumstances: Cremated Remains
-cremation process --1400-1800 degrees ---house fire is 750-1000 degrees --2-3 hours --bones through a grinder -cremated remains --storied, buried, scattered, shipped --DNA is destroyed
Recording Autopsy Data
-cut box or tissue container- formalin- microscopic examination -histology cassettes- hold biopsy specimens -brain retention- removed, weighed, placed in formalin -toxicology- pending toxicology -DNA specimen- stored in freezer- dry -genetic screen -cultures- refrigerate- biohazard -evidence- transferred to agency- chain of custody -discard- policy- National Association of Medical Examiner's Accreditation Standards --order of approval- state law- spouse, adult children, parent, siblings
Saponification
-decomposition in cold, wet environments -cold lakes, rivers, or basements -called adipocere -soap formation by chemically changing composition of the body fat -chalky white -extensive- skin and soft tissue crumble like plaster -1 week in air = 2 weeks in water = 8 weeks underground
Forensics
-derived from "forum" -application of various fields of science and medicine in the resolution of legal proceedings
Toxicology Specimen Collection
-determined by the pathologist and toxicologist -clean syringe for each specimen -label- name, date, specimen type, time, initials of person drawing sample -types of samples --vitreous ---quantifying alcohol (especially if received IV fluids)- grey tube ---glucose- red top without gel ---16 g. needle in the eye sclera with drain fluid --femoral blood ---peripheral blood desired- more accurate reflection of brain and body experience at death ---subcalvin blood or heart blood central blood- not passed through liver, kidneys- less accurate quantified value for drugs ---cavity blood- last resort- contaminated from stomach contents --urine --liver tissue --gastric --brain tissue --head hair
Documentation of Injuries
-direct visualization with collection of trace evidence -patterned injuries need accurate descriptions -photographs include overall, medium view, close ups, with and without scale -angles need to be accurate to avoid distortion to wound measurements
Human Osteology?
-discuss ways to identify human bones and how to reconstruct a skeleton; useful in the forensic fields and for archeology -Dr. Bill Bass -Forensic Anthropology Center -- University of Tennessee --the body farm comparative osteology: differentiating human from non-human
Dismembered Remains
-dispose easier, hide identity, hard to determine cause of death -slow investigation -degrees of dismemberment -huge grid search -shoe and tire impressions -orthopedic hardware -bones--can tell if they have been cut with a saw -body amputation sites need to be closely photographed
Dissociative Disorders
-dissociative identity disorder (DID)- formerly known as multiple personality disorder --rare disorder --switching- a transition occurs --women diagnosed 3 times more than men --modern clinicians believe the disorder is real --some believe it is iatrogenic- practitioners and clinicians are responsible for its occurrence --attempt to suppress or deny severe traumatization as a child --referred to as "UFO of psychiatry" -dissociative amnesia --referred to as psychogenic amnesia --loss of memory due to psychological reasons rather than organic problems -dissociative fugue --referred to as psychogenic fugue --sudden, unexpected travel away from home or one's customary place of work, with an inability to recall one's personal identity or past -depersonalization-derealization disorder --person feeling detached from his/her mental processes or physical body --person feels his/her surroundings are not real or are detached
Special Removals
-double bagging may be necessary --not impermeable -babies and children--emotion --be as respectful as possible --do not remove around family, etc. -hangings--submit noose with the body --2-3 people for removal -water--will decompose quickly --photograph--face and tattoos prior to removal
Neuromuscular Disorders
-down syndrome --additional x chromosome--AKA trisomy 21 --varying degrees of mental retardation, underlying cardiac disease, early onset dementia....
Coroners
-elected -requirements --HS diploma --voter registration card -"coroner" originated in England from "crowner" a tax collector for the dead -determine origin of the dead person -tax levied unless proved decedent was English -tax levy "murdrum" origin of the word "murder" -not physicians and cannot.....
True
-every medication is a potential poison in a large enough quantity
Entombed Remains
-exhumation --authorization ---family ---court order ---question of identity ---investigation --permit from the health department --assistance from cemetery ---chain of custody ---backhoe ---casket key --casket opening ---5-7 years in good soil--recognizable ---upon opening--decomposition will occur--skin flaccid and green-black
Classifications
-family slayer or annihilator: kills family and commits suicide (Mark Barton, p. 24) -murder for profit: $$$ -murder for sex: primary goal is sexual torture -pseudo-commando: obsession for guns and a fantasy for murder -set-and-run killer: psychosis, legally insane -disgruntled employee: revenge -disciple-type killer: at behest of charismatic leader -ideological mass murderer: cult leader who persuades others to kill (Manson) -when combining all mass murderers, mini-mass murderers, and attempted mass murderers, the incidences of such murders remains very high
Families Reporting Poison or Murder
-financial gains -if not embalmed--toxicology -investigator control of remains--against will of family -some poisons are not detected through examination of blood --hair samples --fingernail clippings
Locating Human Remains
-forensic anthropologist's participate in searches by law enforcement or medical examiner officials, or in recovery of remains in a mass fatality incident or human rights investigation -search and rescue teams -cadaver dogs -Barbara Miller: disappeared from Sunbury 28 years ago
Medical Examiners
-forensic pathologist- medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.) --minimum of 4 years anatomic pathology --5 years if trained as clinical pathology --1-2 years subspecialty training in forensic medicine
Mummification
-form of decomposition -hot arid environment -partially protected from the sun -air blowing dries the body -skin shrinks and becomes leather-like -dry musty smell -beard and nails appear to grow because of skin shrinkage -dried shrunken organs- no residual body fluid -sodium hydroxide- re-inflate fingertips
Cause and Manner
-gunshot -pneumonia -brain hemorrhage -fracture -falls -seizures -children --live births --mixed heritage race- classified based on race of mother
Report Documentation
-gunshot wounds documented by describing --diameter of wound presence or absence of marginal abrasion, soot, or stippling --general location of wound --description of bullet and what it passes through --site of recovery, exit wound description --describe trajectories or wound descriptions from the decedents point of view
Types and Anatomy of Guns
-handgun (revolver and semi-automatic) -rifles, shotguns -revlover --hammer, trigger, cylinder, cylinder latch, grip, barrel, and extractor rod --can hold 5-6 bullets --barrel vs......
Ligature as Evidence
-if decedent is obviously dead, leave ligature in place for examination -if removed, place in evidence envelope, sealed with the body for examination -if ligature needs to be removed, used wide masking tape or duct tape and cut through the middle of the tape
Alcohol Intoxication
-in all states, defined as .08 g of alcohol/100 ml of blood or higher
Bones
-infant vs. adult --405 bones vs. 206 bones -variations --most have 12 pairs of ribs, some have 11 or 13 --some have extra vertebra -polydactyl: extra fingers/toes
Natural Disease
-infection and sepsis .....
Medical History
-infectious disease more common in children who haven't been immunized -risk from being immunized much higher than not being immunized -drug or alcohol use while pregnant will impact fetus -meconium begins forming 12-15 wks into pregnancy --drug use during pregnancy (last 4-5 mo.) --head hair sample --some states require testing meconium on all infants -newborns can suffer disabilities if mother uses while pregnant -can pass drugs through breast-feeding
Acquired Diseases
-ingestion of poisons or medications -part of scene assessment is locating parent medications, and children's medications and noting any cabinet locks -confiscate bottle and fingerprint bottle -anaphylaxis --severe allergic response to ingested food, bee sting, skin surface application of an irritant
Extent and Duration of Injuries
-injuries can be narrowed down to within a range of days --not hours or a specific time unless it was a witnessed event -estimates made via skin biopsies, biopsies of injury sites, sampling of fractures -gross appearance of bruises not a good indicator of age of injuries
Introduction
-jurisdiction of the body --coroner/medical examiner -jurisdiction of the scene --law enforcement officer --first responding officer is responsible for the scene until ranking officer arrives --prevent disturbance of scene and body --establish and entry/exit log -need to work together!
Test Firing the Weapon
-laboratory test firing -white cloth or ceiling tile
Insanity
-legal term --state of mind of offender at the time of offense --Jones v. U.S. (1983) U.S. supreme court ---insanity can continue ---offender can be placed in psychiatric facility until recovered ---less than 1% of all cases insanity defense ---most unsuccessful -Souza (2002) studied psychopathology and mass murder --mass murderers (unlike serial killers) have a history of mental illness -Mc'Naughten Rule (PA uses), Brawner Rule (Irresistible Impulse Test), Durham Rule (Products Test) --all rules are on p. 75-76
Death in the Line of Duty
-line of duty death -usually accompanied by an escort of officers -of ten times there will be a guard monitoring the body until burial -multiple officers and the officers upper management may want to aid in the investigation --too many people attending an autopsy may distract the pathologist
Other Instruments
-machetes, scissors, ice picks, forks, etc. -may appear more as punctures or have chop wound qualities -chopping wounds from hatchets, swords, axes will show qualities of both sharp and blunt impacts
Suicide Notes
-many suicides not accompanied with suicide note -more commonly left by females rather than males -about 40% of the time suicide notes are found -location important -package inside clear plastic envelope
Measurements
-measure in length, width, and depth -wound can be longer than width of blade due to motion -width of wound correspond to thickness of blade -length of wound will vary due to cutting as blade is inserted or withdrawn -depth of wound is a rough estimate if length of blade -incised wounds commonly longer than deep -incised wounds can be life threatening when over a major blood vessel -incised wounds present on anterior wrists, antecubital fossae, and isolated neck raise a question of self intent -hesitation wounds -serrated blades are sometimes used and depth of wound will show no distinction from smooth edged knife
Cause of Death
-medical description or diagnosis describing why someone is dead -injury or disease that leads to death -proximate cause -immediate cause -timeframe- minutes, days, years
Gunshot Residue Kits
-metal buttons containing adhesive and secured in a plastic vial -cotton swab with clear nitric.......
Autopsy Procedure
-more extensive for kids than adults -total body x-ray (baby gram) -skeletal surveys--healed fractures -body measurements are taken --weight, length, head, chest, abdominal circumference, rump --inches or centimeters -cultures are collected --bacterial--spinal fluid, blood, and lung -Nasopharyngeal swab for viral pathogens --couple hours -blood--heart blood -slit in lung tissue--swab -liver and brain tissue--common disease -evaluation of vessels coming and leaving the heart -gastric contents--toxicology testing -any scalp injuries documented--absence of blood over surface or extreme swelling -neck, removal of tongue, evaluation of posterior pharynx is important to look for obstructions -cavity is dried to evaluate inner surface of ribs -spine can be removed to look for fractures -in non-accidental cases, dissection becomes more intensive -generally begin with skin dissection and only muscle layer are left
Disaster Situations
-morgue maximum capacity --preplan for additional storage -identification --odontology --DNA --jewelry --examples --9/11 --school shootings -FEMA (federal emergency management agency) -NTSB (national transportation safety board)
Metabolic Disorders
-most common are screen at birth and submitted to state health agency -type 1 diabetes .....
Motor Vehicle Accidents
-most common cause of blunt-force trauma -collection of evidence on pedestrian hit and run accidents help link a suspect vehicle to decedent -relevant scene observations include: --seatbelt use --position of body --air bag deployment --tempered glass and laminate windshields
Manner of Death
-most common is suicide or homicide from sharp force injuries -suicide --notes, evidence of preparation, history of depression -homicide --blood trails through crime scene, someone found outside, lack of depression -usual mechanism of deaths is blood loss -death is not immediate with stab wounds, number of wounds inflicted, usually increase as victim fights back or keeps moving -air embolus -examination of suspects include photos of arms and hands demonstrate any injuries during confrontation
Algor Mortis
-most helpful within the first 10 hours of death -1-1.5 degree fahrenheit cooling per hour -rectal or liver temperature -two measurements: 1 hour apart before movement of body -time of death estimation
Rigor Mortis (Time Since Death and Stiffness)
-not more than 3 hours = not stiff -3-8 hours = stiff -8-36 hours = stiff more than 36 hours = not stiff
Algor Mortis (Time Since Death and Body Temperature)
-not more than 3 hours = warm -3-8 hours = warm -8-36 hours = cold -more than 36 hours = cold
Sudden Death With No Cause Identified
-not uncommon for findings in evaluation of infant or child death to not point to single cause and manner of death
American Psycho
-novel -written by Bret Easton Ellis -explored --psychopathy --narcissism --sadism --murder
Photographing the Death Scene
-one of the hardest parts of photographing a death scene is keeping the photos straight, going from one scene to the next, and not having an opportunity to download them from the camera --3x5 card --photographer name, date, case # -systematic -overall, medium range, and closer views (with and without measurement) -revolvers- cylinder should be photographed as it is ejected from the firing position -serial numbers and both sides of gun should be photographed after they are made safe -embedded weapons should remain in the body if possible -ligatures need to be left in place (ex: noose)
Rigor Mortis
-one of the recognizable signs of death caused by chemical changes in the muscles after death, causing limbs of the corpse to stiffen -rigor mortis can occur as soon as 30 minutes after death
Evidence Collection
-order --hands (after bags removed) --gunshot residue ---back of right and left hands, thumb, web of thumb, and first finger --DNA swabs ---sterile swab and saline ---after hand collections and before the body is washed or handled --trace evidence ---minute fragments of debris, fibers, hair, vegetation, paint chips, etc... ---hair is best retrieved as pulls rather than cuts (root) --fingernail clippings ---DNA link- clean clippers and gloves between hands to prevent cross-contamination
Mandates, Jurisdictions, and Laws
-origin --China --washing away of wrong by Sung Tz'u --1248 --criminal affairs officer -greeks --anatomical dissection --Giovanni Mogagni described in a book --19th century-Dr. William-osier autopsy as a teaching method -WWII- hospital autopsies cinducted in approximately 50% of deaths --today, autopsies are conducted in less than 10% of hospital deaths -model post mortem act --1954 --United States --outlined deaths that need investigated by a gov't body --violent, unusual, unnatural, suspicious, prison, public hazard -limited autopsies --shortage of forensic pathologists --limited tax-based funds --creates voids for hospitals and families that want/deserve answers -family permission --spouse, adult children, parents of deceased, adult siblings, legal guardian, individual charged with disposition of remains --religious objection-autopsy can proceed without family permission -no universal body governing the death investigation system at a national level -local health department --filters death certificates to the national bureau of vital statistics --issues burial of cremation permits to funeral homes -PA mixed ME and coroners -coroner system in existence since 1492 -first medical examiner office --NYC --1918 --Dr. Charles Norris -CDC-maintains list of medical examiners and coroner jurisdictions within the U.S.
Non-Accidental Trauma
-patterned injuries abrasions matching belts, fly swatters, electrical cords, etc. help distinguish a non-accidental cause of death from accidental injuries -burns from hair curling iron and hot water -bruising or finger marks -contusions on the abdomen -loss of teeth or gum lacerations -note caretaker history and how child came to receive medical care; is the story plausible with the degree of injury -irons and curling irons--patterned burns -bath tub--time it takes tub to reach scalding temperatures -penile and vaginal DNA swabs -knees, elbows, chin, and forehead associated with falls not expected in immobile infants
Patterned Injuries and Tool Marks
-patterns used to reconstruct how injuries occurred -can trace pattern onto clear plastic -tool marks can leave grooves that can be matched to suspect weapons
Public Health Notifications
-pediatric infectious disease need to be reported and the public health department needs to be notified -family members or children in the home or school need to bee treated to prevent outbreak
Photographic Documentation
-photograph labels of chemicals and the livor color -detergent information collected
Evidence Collection
-photographic documentation of each piece of evidence --patient label, specific notation, date and time collected, 2 dimensional ruler in photo -bullets never collected using metal instruments --collected using latex gloves, then wrapped, labeled, dated, initialed
Frozen Bodies
-place body inside body bag and transport to office to be slowly thawed for evaluation -if body doesn't fit in body bag it may be wrapped in a tarp or plastic shroud for transport -autopsy and toxicology cannot be conducted until the surface and organs are thawed -a fully frozen body can take up to 2-3 days to defrost -the skin will become assume a yellow...decomposition...
Fetuses and Home Births
-placenta; obtained to determine fetal gestation age -determine if live birth -home births or discarded infants in an attempt to hide birth will be investigated by forensic pathologist -questions asked: --live birth? --age of viability? (21 wks?) --how long infant/fetus lived? -skeletal remains of infants can be difficult to find
Shotgun Cartridges
-plastic or paper cylinder containing multiple pellet projectiles -inside of barrel is smooth, leaves no markings are made -shotguns extremely lethal -wadding or plastic piston will give indication of shotgun gauge
Livor Mortis
-post mortem lividity (latin: post mortem = after death; lividity = black and blue), hypostasis (greek: hypo = under beneath; stasis = a standing) or suggillation is one of the signs......
Haggerty (p. 8)
-preconditions for serial murder include: --mass media and the rise of celebrity status --a society void of value consideration that encourages extreme rationalization --a cultural framework that through processes of denigration positions specific groups for increased predation, such as elderly, children, prostitutes, homeless, and homosexuals --opportunity structures that afford serial killers more access to certain victims, such as females.... --FIND REST ON p. 8!
Choke Holds
-previously used in law enforcement to subdue subjects -no longer used by law enforcement because of deaths from prolonged application or fracture of the air way -AKA: blood choke or sleeper hold
Prisoners and Executions
-prison --agency policy and procedure --check gun and door --identification -outside investigation--conflict of interest -LE --back of a patrol car ---position ---use of force --caution--high tension--community
Death Certification
-process of establishing a cause of death for official purposes -community-treating physicians may sign death certificates on their patients if they die of natural causes -investigator supplies the names, date, time (24 hour), and location of death -death investigator is the final safeguard against questionable causes of death to prevent unreported cases to death investigation system and serve as a reference for vital records
Psychopathology and Biogenic's of Serial Murderers
-psychobiology and biochemical theories of violent behavior -phrenologists- believed criminal predispositions could be detected by examining bumps and abnormalities on the surface of the skull -head trauma- not a direct cause but persistent correlation -modern research- biochemical factors --allergies --environmental conditions --diet --hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) -XYY- violence in men (extra Y chromosome) -hormone research -Reiss and Roth (1993) --inhibition- inhibited children are less prone to aggression and violence, uninhibited children are more prone to violence -neurobiology- role is growing importance in understanding the interaction between --biology --psychological factors --environment -serotonin- recent research --chemical that inhibits the secretion of stomach acid and simulates smooth muscle --neurotransmitter in the brain --connection with aggression -Virkkunen, et. al. and Linnoila, et. al. --impulsive group reported lower serotonin levels -Hans Eysenck (1977) --biosocial perspective --criminal behavior stems from ---interaction of environmental conditions ---inherited personality traits --extroverts v. introverts ---extroverts are more likely to commit antisocial behavior ----biological differences in nervous system
Sexual Asphyxia
-pulleys, bondage mechanisms, simple noose -almost always male in women's clothing or underwear -sex toys, pornography -may involve drug use -asphyxia heightens sexual gratification
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
-purpose --decrease potential health hazards --prevent transmission of biohazards outside the autopsy room -center for disease control guidelines- universal precautions --shoe covers --mask (n-95 particulate) --lab coat or disposable jumpsuit --disposable gloves --eye protection ---biohazard receptacles ---sharps containers- needles and scalpels -paperwork- clean area or on computer -no food, drink, or smoking
Photograph
-purpose --permanent record of injuries and injury patterns --identification purposes --document clothing and personal effects -photos --right angles (90 degree angle) --slight overlap --ABFO bite-mark ruler- standard scale
Handgun and Rifle Wounds
-range of fire --hard contact (gun actually touching) --near contact (more stippling and powder) --intermediate (arms length) --distant (no stippling or powder) --intermediate
Gauge
-reflects the diameter of the barrel of a shotgun and is determined by the number of lead balls that can fit in the diameter of the shotgun barrel that equal 1 pound
Embalming
-removal of blood from the vascular system -replaced with formalin -removes or contaminates all body fluids -punctures organs (prevent pathological diagnoses) -autopsy prior to embalming --still possible to have open-casket viewing -funeral home video
Embalmed Bodies
-replacing body fluids with formalin as a means of preservation (slows decomposition) -embalming fluid is a mixture of 18-35% formalin with multiple coloring agents -different coloring agents used depending on desired end result of the color of the skin -blood is drained as the formalin mixture is pumped into the arterial system under pressure -incision sites can include base of neck, groins, or armpits -bodies being shipped may include higher levels of formalin and special permits
Organ and Tissue Donation
-requires the individual to be alive --brain dead--flat EEG (brainwave scan) --negative drug screen--narcotics --eye extraction within 24 hours --lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, small bowel -tissue donation within the first 24-48 hours --tendons, arteries, veins, bones, heart, valves --can deny valves if needed to determine cause of death
Stroke
-results from the blockage of blood flow to an area of the brain by a clot and results in necrosis
Evisceration Techniques
-rokitansky technique- block style that allows the organs to be evaluated in relationship to their interconnections such as vasculature or ducts -disadvantages...........
Surgical Incisions
-same appearance as many stab wounds -medical personnel need to adequately document any changes made to skin during resuscitation -medical intervention should avoid sites of previous stab or gunshot injuries --forensic pathologist can adequately evaluate wounds in the event of the patients death
Abrasion
-scrape on skin causing loss of superficial layers of the skin -created by force sliding across the skin or sliding across surface -can be patterned or have characteristic appearances --brush burns, gravel imprints, marks from the front of a car, imprints from guns -can occur post-mortem -described in length, width, and color
Anatomy of a Vehicle
-seat belts --two point restraint system ---lap belt with two attachment points to the vehicle --three point restraint system ---two lap belt attachments and one shoulder attachment ---typical modern vehicles --four point restraint system ---two shoulder and two lap ---race cars, pilot seats -88% of people wear seat belts in primary enforcement states -75% of people wear seat belts in secondary enforcement states -in an accident the webbing will stretch and leave wrinkles along area of greatest stretch, telling investigator whether or not the seatbelt was in use
Evidence Collection Techniques
-seek recommendation from crime lab techniques --ask!!! -wet clothing should remain on the body until autopsy -clothing is usually placed in brown paper bags (each piece separate) -air dry as soon as possible --prevent cross contamination
Introduction to Serial Murder
-serial murder: according to the FBI, serial murder is the unlawful killing of 2 or more victims by same offenders in separate events -mass murder: according to the FBI, killing four or more persons at one time --give little thought or concern to capture or death --bifurcation: begin killing in 1 location and move to another to continue
Admission to the Morgue
-signed in- name, removed from, date, time, person delivering -sealed body bag -note all jewelry --coroner theft -cash- counted by 2 people, documented, and secured -weight -height (heel to top of head)
Shotguns
-single or double barrel, stock, magazine, trigger, pump action mechanism
Definitions
-spree murders (AKA cluster killings) --3 or more victims killed by a single perpetrator within a period of hours or days in different locations --no cooling off period -neonaticide --killing a newborn within the first 24 hours of life -felony murder --murder committed in the course of committing another felony (bank robbery) -premeditated murder (most serious) --willful, intentional killing of another person(s) -most critical stumbling block to understanding serial murder is disagreement among researchers and law enforcement about how to define the phenomenon -for mass and serial murderers, murder is a mean of control over life
Autopsy Documentation
-stab wounds deeper than they are long -incised wounds commonly known as slashing injuries or incisions--longer than they are deep --surgical incision -lacerations contain abraded margins, have small strands of tissue extending between the edges of the wound and tend to have irregular margins
X-Ray
-still in body bag with clothing intact -projectile location and count -hazard location- needles, knives, etc... -typical trauma panel --anterior and lateral head views --anterior view of chest --abdomen --pelvis -digital- virtual autopsy
Strangulation
-strangle: cause death by compressing throat with something -homicidal strangulation have horizontal patterns partially or fully encircling the neck and lack upward deviation to the side or back of the head seen in suicidal hangings -manual strangulation --using arms or hands --can leave obvious, faint, or no injuries to the external neck --patterns may show outlines of fingers -decedent may be found clothed or naked, but note should be made of any necklaces or clothing at the neck by photographers at scene
Illness
-stuffy nose, slightly decreased appetite, fussier than usual -occasionally no change at all -interval between symptoms and death may be short --some children succumb to bacterial infection and sepsis rapidly
Sudden Death in Children: Investigation Techniques
-sudden infant death reporting form --each state has an infant death protocol checklist -many times the child has been removed from the site of death during resuscitative efforts and will be pronounced dead at hospital -establish time child was found and time s/he was noted alive; what happened in between? -crib, bedding, and any object in crib should be photographed and closely examined -thermostat settings--room temperature -scene reenactment--photos during each stage
Decomposition
-sunlight and air = decomposition progresses more rapidly --flies (usually blowfly) and insect activity -buried or in water = decomposition progresses slower -venous marbling: first stage of decomposition --blood decomposes within the vascular system and produces brown vessel arborization on the skin -red-green discoloration -rapture of capillaries --nose oozes thick dark red decomposition fluid -black-green discoloration with subcutaneous gas (hydrogen sulfide and methane) -skin slippage - hand glove (hand skin cut off to make glove to collect fingerprints)
Recovering Remains
-surface -scattered -buried -documentation of location --total station --datum point (use to measure where evidence is)
Tape, Ligatures, Gags, Plastic Wrap, and Trash Bags
-tape --inside a box because it will stick to the inside of the paper bag or plastic --preserve ends during removal- match recovered roll --fingerprints and trace evidence --gag or ligatures (tape)- photograph front, sides, and back -each piece of evidence must be labeled properly --case # --name of decedent --current date --permanent storage- sealed with evidence tape to prove it has not been tampered with and to prevent cross contamination
Laceration
-tears of the skin resulting when the force being applied exceeds its elastic ability to stretch -described in length, width, and depth -laceration wound = object is blunt instrument -incision wound = sharp edged object -determine laceration or incision wound by examining margins, and tissue between edges of wounds --laceration will have abraded margins, incisions will have smooth margins
Children Left in Vehicles
-temperatures inside vehicle can raise to 120 degrees F in 60 min. if windows closed -document if child was restrained in a car seat and any signs of escape efforts -presence of liquids or foods -children left in hot car may show early signs of decomposition change and will continue to rapidly decompose even though they are refrigerated at the morgue
Hesitation Wounds
-testing out the sharpness of the blade -how much pain is required with cutting prior to fatal wound being inflicted -common locations are wrists, forearms, abdomen, neck -locations and number of superficial wounds help distinguish hesitation wounds from defense wounds
Cartridge
-the complete "bullet" that contains the true lead bullet on the tip, with or without an overlaying jacket, and a casing, which holds the gunpowder, primer, and bullet in alignment; the actual whole "bullet", the whole thing is called this
Grooves
-the depressed areas inside the gun barrel of a handgun or rifle that create the bullet markings on the projectile and allow guns to be matched to the recovered projectile
Caliber
-the diameter measurement inside the barrel between two lands and is measured in millimeters for most weapons; used with handguns
Atherosclerosis
-the hardening of the arteries
Bullet
-the lead portion of the cartridge that leaves the end of the barrel (muzzle) when the gun is fired; actual tip of "bullet"
Gunpowder
-the material that creates the power behind propelling the bullet from the gun; there are 3 main types: cylinder, ball, and flake
Alveoli
-the more alveoli, the greater the ability for oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange because of the increased surface area for the gasses to come into contact with the blood supply
Firing Pin
-the portion of the trigger that strikes the primer at the base of the bullet causing ignition of the gunpowder
Lands
-the raised portions of the rifling inside the barrel of a gun that creates markings on the soft lead bullet as it travels down the barrel
Shot
-the round balls composing the lead portion of shotgun shell; these can vary in size from 9.14 mm to 1.3 mm; in general the larger the number the smaller size of the ball; an example is 00; smaller shot is influenced more by aerodynamics and air friction and flies accurately a shorter distance than larger, heavier shot
Small Intestine
-the sight of absorption of food nutrients as well as drugs taken orally
Casing
-the spent portion made of cartridge that is discarded after firing; usually made of brass or steel and remains in the cylinder of revolvers or can be ejected to the side in semi-automatic weapons; metal jacket that hold the "bullet" together
Rifling
-the spiraled tooling inside the barrel of a rifle or handgun that puts a spin on the bullet projectile and is gun specific
What is Osteology?
-the study of the structure and function of the skeleton and bony structures
Barrel
-the tube that gives the projectile the directionality and allows the gun to achieve its maximum velocity
Myocardial Infarction
-this is what heart attacks are called in medical terminology
Gunshot Residue
-transport decedent with GSW's with brown paper bags over hands --assist the evaluation of the hand during the autopsy -can easily be transferred from handling the weapon, touching the decedent in areas covered in residue, or transferred to decedent if s/he was in a close space when the gun was fired -gunshot residue tested using scanning -electron microscopy
Medicolegal Death Investigator Scene Response
-type of death requiring response -investigation briefcase -equipment list (look up in book!) -response vehicle equipment
Food
-type of food the child last ate, amount of formula, time of last feeding all important --undernourished?? --how formula was mixed and volume --how often fed and natural or solid foods --quantity and types of stools
Neoplasms
-undiagnosed neoplasms may cause death in children -brain tumors, leukemia, bone/soft tissue tumors, solid tumors of internal organs
Coup vs. Contrcoup
-used when referring to head injuries -coup injuries: force applied to one side of the head resulting in same-sided brain injuries, with or without skull fractures -contrcoup: injury on one side of the scalp and brain injuries on the opposite side
Multiple Gunshot Wounds
-very time consuming -approach with full body x-rays -very difficult to link entrance wounds and path of multiple GSW's with the organs removed from body -trajectory rods to delineate path of bullet
Suicide vs. Accident vs. Homicide
-when in doubt treat as homicide until evaluated by autopsy, toxicology, and witness statements -families may alter crime scene to make it appear a suicide or accident...
Paradoxical Undressing
-when someone undresses themselves when they should be putting on more clothing, based on the temperature
Carnivore Activity and Insect Life Cycle
-wild and domestic animals will feed upon human cadaver -dental comparison may be required for identification -first insects- blowflies --development --egg, 3 larval stages, pupa (8-10 days), and adult
Common complications of fractures....
.... are pneumonia, urinary tract infections, decubitus ulcers, or sepsis
The pituitary gland in conjunction with the hypothalamus in the brain....
....controls the thyroid, adrenal, and growth hormones, as well as the production of eggs or sperm
Establishing and Recording Decedent Profile
1. document the discovery history 2. determine terminal episode history 3. document decedent medical history 4. document decedent mental health history 5. document social history
Arrival at the Scene
1. introduce and identify self and role 2. exercise scene safety and security 3. confirm or pronounce death 4. participate in scene briefing 5. conduct a scene "walkthrough" 6. establish chain of custody 7. follow laws (related to the collection of evidence)
Completing the Scene Investigation
1. maintain jurisdiction over the body 2. release jurisdiction of the body 3. perform exit procedures 4. assist the family or authorized individuals
Documenting and Evaluating the Body
1. photograph the body 2. conduct external body examination (superficial) 3. preserve evidence (on the body) -put paper bags on hands to preserve trace evidence 4. establish decedent identification 5. document post-mortem changes 6. participate in scene debriefing 7. determine notification procedures (next of kin or interested and authorized individual) 8. ensure security of remains
Evaluating the Scene
1. photograph the scene 2. develop descriptive documentation of the scene 3.establish probable location of injury or illness 4. collect, inventory, and safeguard property and evidence 5. interview witnesses at the scene -neighborhood canvas
Myth and Fact
Myth -through modern forensic science, an exact time of death can be determined Fact -there is no scientific way to determine the exact time of death, a thorough investigation will reveal a time frame and.......
Identification, Collection, and Preservation of Evidence
Preservation of Evidence -1st arriving officer --in charge of scene until higher rank officer/investigator arrives --prevent disturbance of body --isolates witness -entry/exit log -gunshot-secure hand with paper bags secured with tape -money-count, witnessed, envelope, sealed, both persons' initials -medication-collect and remove -scattered remains-label tissues in separate bags
History and Purpose of Death Investigations
What is the purpose of death investigations? -find answers for families who have lost loved ones -cause of death -manner of death -collect evidence -identify suspects -convict murders -death investigator is the eyes and ears of the forensic pathologist at the scene
