Anthro Exam 2 - Lab Process & Documentation

Lab Process & Documentation

What is Chain of Custody?

Movement/Location of physical evidence from time obtained until presented in court.

What does Chain of Custody do?

1. Inventory all materials

2. Log of all people who handled the evidence

3. Medical Examiners Office/Police Department takes initial custody

4. Release of Human ID Lab

5. Return to Medical Examiners Office

What happens after the arrival to the MEO? (Chain of Custody)

A) Initial Documentation of condition

1. Paperwork

2. Photographs

3. Box outside and in

B) Assign a distinctive case number

What are the three types of Documentation for each case?

1. Case logs

2. Processing Logs

3. Case Files

What do Case Logs document? (Documentation)

1. Case #

2. Type of remains (Skeleton, Cranium, Non - Human, etc.)

3. Tentative ID

4. Suspected trauma

5. Place/Agency of origin

What are Processing Logs (Documentation)

• Indicate which procedures are needed for a specific case

• Keeps track of who did what and when

What are Case Files? (Documentation)

Master record of each case.

What are the requirements for a Forensic Lab?

• Security

• Storage

• Biohazard Protocols

• Training

• Quality Assurance (QA)

• Quality Control (QC)

What is the Evidence & Lab Access?

• Human remains need to be inaccessible to the public

• Authorized access only

• Secured at ALL times

What is the definition of Maceration? (Maceration)

The process of removing soft tissue form decomposing or mummified remains.

• Yields - clean, dry skeleton

What are the TOOLS of Maceration (Maceration)

Plastic tools prevent introduction of additional damage (eg. cut marks) to the bones.

• Toothbrushes

• Nylon spatulas

• Hemostat Forceps used to pull any clumps of tissue

• Scissors and scalps used only rarely!!!

What is the PROCESS of Maceration? (Maceration)

1. Remove bulk of soft tissue

2. Disarticulate (separate) sections of the body

3. Remains placed in stainless steel pots, FILLED WITH WATER ONLY!!

4. Heat to boiling, then reduce to below 100 degrees CELSIUS

5. Water should be decanted or changed regularly

• 2 - 3 DAYS TOTAL TIME!!

How long does the PROCESS of Maceration take? (Maceration)

2 - 3 days total time

What is Maceration? (Maceration)

• Soft tissue removed with plastic tools and forceps

• Scrub with dilute (oil) citrus - based degreaser and rinse with clean water

• Soft tissues collected and recorded

• Freeze for storage

What is the DRYING PROCESS for Maceration? (Maceration)

• Grid inlay allows airflow around the bones

• Bones can be handled with or without gloves

• Drying time = 3 - 7 days total time

How long does the DRYING PROCESS take? (Maceration)

3 - 7 days total time

Can bones be handled without gloves during the drying process? (Maceration)

Yes

What do Dermestid Beetles do? (Maceration)

Remove soft tissues

• Consume soft tissues including cartilage and tendons

• 10 - 14 days total time

How long does it take for Dermestid Beetles to finish consuming soft tissues? + cartilage & tendons (Maceration)

10 - 14 days total time

What is Documentation & Analysis?

• All observation/analysis notes

• Inventory

• Analyze print outs

• X - rays and Photos

• Reference articles

What is Skeletal Inventory? (Documentation & Analysis)

Ensures that skeletal elements do not obscure each other

• Records whether or not each skeleton elements are present or absent (how complete the skeleton is)

• Set up in Anatomical Position (Facing forward, Palms facing out and forward)

What is the Photography Process for in (Documentation & Analysis)

• Views of the skull

• Age & Sex

• Trauma

• Pathology

• General & close up

What is the Report for in (Documentation & Analysis)

How remains are received, conditions of remains, time since death.

• MNI (minimum number of individual(s))

• Biological Profile

• Individualizing characteristics

• Trauma - ante, peri, post

Thorough and accurate

• Writing skills