Chapter 5 - Death Investigation

Forensic Pathologist

A specialist responsible for determining the cause and manner of death, typically associated with a medical examiner's or coroner's office.

Autopsy

A surgical procedure performed by a pathologist on a dead body to ascertain the cause of death.

Cause of Death

The injury or disease that initiates the series of events leading to death.

Manner of Death

The classification of death (homicide, suicide, accidental, natural, or undetermined) based on circumstances surrounding it.

Algor Mortis

The process of cooling of the body after death until it reaches room temperature.

Livor Mortis

The pooling of blood in the lowest parts of the body after death, leading to a purplish discoloration of the skin.

Rigor Mortis

The stiffening of the muscles after death, developing within a few hours and subsiding after about 36 hours.

Postmortem Interval (PMI)

The length of time that has elapsed since a person has died.

Forensic Anthropology

The application of anthropological methods to the examination and identification of human skeletal remains.

Forensic Entomology

The study of insects in relation to death investigations to estimate the time of death.

Petechiae

Small pinpoint hemorrhages often seen in the eyes of victims of asphyxia.

External Examination

The initial stage of an autopsy that involves documenting visible injuries on the body's surface.

Internal Examination

The component of an autopsy that involves the dissection and analysis of internal organs.

Blunt-Force Injury

An injury caused by a non-sharpened object, such as a bat or pipe, often resulting in abrasions or contusions.

Sharp-Force Injury

An injury resulting from a weapon with a sharp edge, causing cuts or stab wounds.

Asphyxia

A condition characterized by the lack of oxygen intake, which can lead to death.

Toxicology

The study of the effects of drugs and poisons on the body, often performed during autopsies.

Forensic Odontology

The use of dental records and characteristics in identifying human remains.

Decedent

The person who has died.

Medical Examiner

An appointed official who is usually a physician and is responsible for determining the cause of death.

Coroner

An elected official responsible for investigating deaths, generally without a medical degree.

Scene Investigation

The process of collecting evidence and documenting a crime scene, particularly in death investigations.

Blood Spatter Analysis

The examination of bloodstains at a crime scene to determine the events that led to the bleeding.

DNA Profiling

A forensic technique used to identify individuals by analyzing their unique genetic code.

Hypostasis

Another term for livor mortis; refers to the pool of blood settling postmortem.

Circumstantial Evidence

Indirect evidence that implies a fact but does not prove it outright.

Forensic Evidence

Any evidence collected and analyzed for relevance and utility within a legal context.

Wound Track

The path that a projectile takes through the body after a gunshot injury.

Adipocere

A waxy substance formed during the decomposition of a body, occurring in moist conditions.

Necrophilious Insects

Insects that feed on decomposing tissue, critical for estimating the time of death.

Medical Records

Documents containing a patient's health information that can be crucial in death investigations.

Soot

A black substance produced by incomplete combustion that can indicate inhalation in fire victims.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

A form of asphyxia due to inhalation of carbon monoxide, often seen in fire-related deaths.

Facial Reconstruction

A process used by forensic anthropologists to recreate the appearance of a deceased individual from skeletal remains.

Exhumation

The act of digging up a buried body for further examination, usually to identify cause of death.

Scavenger Insects

Insects such as beetles that feed on decomposing bodies and can provide information during investigations.

Ocular Fluid Analysis

Testing the liquid found in the eye to help estimate time of death based on potassium levels.

Environmental Factors

Conditions surrounding a corpse that can influence decomposition and insect colonization rates.

Autotomy

Self-digestion of tissues by their own enzymes following death.

Forensic Genetics

The application of DNA analysis to identify remains or determine relationships between individuals.

Defense Wounds

Injuries sustained by a victim while trying to fend off an attacker.

Chronological Events

The sequence of events leading to and surrounding a death that can be re-constructed from evidence.

Judicial Proceedings

Legal processes involving courts that can require forensic analysis and expert testimony.

Life Signs

Physical indicators that a person is alive, such as pulse and respiration.

Medical Examination Board Certification

A qualification indicating that a physician has passed tests and is certified in forensic pathology.

Bacterial Decomposition

The breakdown of tissues by bacteria after death, known in forensic terms as putrefaction.

Eyewitness Testimony

Account from individuals who witnessed events related to a death, contributing to investigations.

Mortuary Protocols

Guidelines and procedures for handling deceased individuals in a respectful and legal manner.

Criminal Proceedings

Legal actions initiated by the state against a perpetrator charged with a crime.

Methanol Poisoning

Poisoning caused by the ingestion of methanol, often leading to severe health consequences or death.

Anterograde Amnesia

Loss of the ability to create new memories after an event, relevant in trauma cases.

Taphonomy

The study of decay and fossilization as they pertain to forensic investigations.

Body Identification

The process of determining the identity of a deceased individual.

Circumstantial Evidence

Evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact.

Fractures

Breaks in bone that can provide forensic clues about cause and manner of death.

Time of Death Estimation

Methods used by forensic experts to approximate when death occurred.

Decomposition Rate

The speed or extent of decay of a human body, influenced by various environmental factors.

Organ Retention

The practice of retaining biological tissues for toxicological analysis after an autopsy.

Chemical Analysis

The testing of bodily fluids, tissues, or substances to identify various compounds or toxins.

Insect Succession

The predictable sequence in which insects colonize a decomposing body, aiding time-of-death estimates.

Gunshot Residue (GSR)

Microscopic particles expelled when a firearm is discharged, useful in linking a suspect to a shooting.

Digital Forensics

The process of recovering information from digital devices relevant to criminal investigations.

Firearm Examination

The analysis of bullets, cartridge cases, and firearms to determine characteristics relevant to a shooting.

Genetic Markers

Specific sequences in DNA used to identify individuals or familial relationships.

Personal Belongings

Items found with the deceased that may assist in identifying the victim or understanding circumstances.

Medico-legal Investigation

An investigation into a death that has potential legal implications, requiring forensic expertise.

Cranial Features

Characteristics of the skull that can help forensic anthropologists determine ancestry and identification.

Crime Scene Protocols

Standard operating procedures designed to preserve evidence and ensure accurate documentation at crime scenes.

Mummification

A process that slows decomposition, often seen in certain environmental conditions or practices.

Body Mapping

The process of documenting spatial relationships and positions of injuries on a deceased body.

Trace Evidence

Small amounts of material transferred from one location to another that can provide forensic evidence.

Premortem Examination

An assessment of a victim's health and condition before death, often relevant in forensic cases.

Homicidal Etiology

The causes and circumstances that lead to a homicide, analyzed in forensic pathology.

Exsanguination

Loss of blood to the point of death, critical in forensic investigations related to violent crimes.

Forensic Statistics

Quantitative analysis of data relevant to forensic investigations, including incident rates and outcomes.

Accidental Death

A classification of death that occurs without intent to kill, typically due to negligence or unforeseen circumstances.