1st Edition
Medico-Legal Death Investigation: From Crime Scene to Courtroom A Detective's Companion
Written in clear and simple language, this primer/handbook examines and explains—from the perspective of a criminal investigator—the law and how it relates to criminal investigations. The book begins with an introduction to the parties and the rules and then discusses the crime scene, unique scenarios in the recovery of human remains and physical evidence, and the medical-legal autopsy. It reviews the types of homicide, deaths requiring distinctive investigative considerations, and finally, arrest and prosecution. Case studies, checklists, charts, and illustrations make the book ideal as a reference for professionals and a textbook for coursework.
Introduction: Understanding the Players and the Rules
Prologue
The Legal System and Constitutional Issues: Identifying, Understanding and
Establishing the Legal Parameters of an Investigation:
The Law of Homicide
Function and Responsibilities of the Prosecutor's Office in Death Investigations
Function and Responsibilities of the Medical Examiner or Coroner
Function and Responsibilities of the Crime Scene Technicians and Forensic
Science Specialists
Leadership and Ethical Considerations
The Crime Scene
Responsibilities and Protocols for the First Responding Officers
First Detective at the Scene: Assuming Control of the Investigation
Crime Scene Preservation and Documentation
Evidence Collection, Protection and Removal for Processing
Removal of Body for Autopsy
Blood Spatter Analysis
Extraordinary Crime Scene Circumstances
Unique Scenarios in the Recovery of Human Remains and Physical Evidence
Introduction of Forensic Anthropology and Odontology
Unearthing Human Remains and the Recovery of Evidence
Underwater Recovery of Human Remains and Evidence
Mass Disaster Recovery Efforts
The Medical-Legal Autopsy
Basic Anatomy and Medical Terminology for the Criminal Investigator
The Forensic Autopsy
Determining Cause, Mechanism and Manner of Death
Victim Identification Protocols:
The Investigation
Proceeding with the Investigation
Interviews and Interrogations
Search and Seizure
Types of Homicide
Drug Related Homicides
Confrontational Homicides
Domestic Violence Homicides
Sexual Assault Related Homicides
Robbery or Theft Related Homicides
Gang Homicides
Fire and Explosion Homicides
Chemical or Poisoning Homicides
Drowning Homicides
Deaths Requiring Distinctive Investigative Considerations
Child Deaths
Death of an Elderly Person
Death of a Mentally or Physically Incapacitated Person
Death of a Person in a Health Care Facility
Death of a Person in Police or Corrections Custody
Unresolved Homicides
Arrest and Prosecution
Establishing Probable Cause to Arrest
The Legal Process
Allowable Legal Defenses
The Trial
