Death Scene Investigation: A Field Guide

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Each and every death scene presents new challenges to even the most seasoned investigator. Despite the unique nature of each scenario, using a standardized protocol is the key to ensuring consistent and accurate results. Death Scene Investigation: A Field Guide provides concise direction for the death scene investigator, crime scene investigator, coroner, medical examiner, or anyone associated with the investigation of death. Since the majority of deaths are due to natural causes, the book emphasizes these situations, yet also examines unnatural circumstances. It begins by providing a general overview of death investigation before delving into a chronological point-by-point analysis of the death scene. Topics discussed include how to assess the body at the scene, and how to investigate natural and unnatural deaths. Explores Various Causes Next, the text demonstrates how death manifests in various parts of the body. A section on traumatic injuries examines and demonstrates with color photographs blunt force, sharp force, and a host of other injuries that the death examiner is likely to confront. The book addresses identification methods and explores how to determine signs of resuscitation and previous surgeries. It concludes with a discussion of the purpose and performance of the autopsy and provides a survey of the different forensic experts that may become useful to the death investigator. Enhanced by numerous color photos, this volume is a direct, succinct handbook that is invaluable to those that confront the reality of death on a day-to-day basis. Its spiral-bound format makes it the perfect guide to take along to the scene.This handy field guide provides easy direction for the medical examiner whether at the scene, the laboratory, or the health care facility. Organized in an easily accessible outline format, it covers protocols and guidelines for the investigator, as well as assessment and examination, medical-legal autopsy, use of medical history and records, and death certification. Emphasizing natural diseases as the most common cause of death, the book also covers traumatic deaths, evidence collection, and indicators of previous surgeries, CPR, and other treatments. It includes an extensive medical glossary, an appendix of prescription drugs, references for more in-depth information, and nearly 150 color photographs.