Death Investigation

Chapter one

What word does forensics derive from?

forum

Forensics

refers to the application of various fields of science and medicine in the resolution of legal proceedings

what year was the model post mortem examinations act enforced?

1954

Model post mortem examinations act

the 1954 law outlining the recommended state-mandated reporting of cases to a central investigative agency for adoption of individual state laws. (being investigated by certified government body and not hospital pathologist or treating physican)

hospital pathologist

physical specialized in anatomic pathology working in a hospital who can perform basic autopsies (often death that are more likely to be disease related rather than trauma)

forensic pathologist

board certified examiner who performs autopsies as part of the medical examiner or coroner office.

Alphonse Bertillon

french law enforcement officer from the late 19th century who performed research in anthropometry

Anthropometry

the study of physical characteristics of a person that make him or her unique

center for disease control

US federal agency the goal of which is to maintain public health and prevent and control disease

Locard’s exchange principle

principle developed by edmond locard stating that two items coming into contact with each other will exchange material between them

medical examiner

also called a forensic pathologist with education as a medical doctor, completion of four years of anatomic pathology and at least one to two years of subspeciality training in forensic medicine who performs autopsies and has jurisdication

coroner

is an elected official with the legal ability to certify the cause and manner of death on the death certificate

medicolegal death investigators

serve as observation personnel and key assistants to the forensic pathologist at scenes