Death Scene Investigation&

The Medicolegal Death Investigator

Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI

Senior Forensic Death Investigator

Tarrant, Parker & Denton County Medical Examiners District

What is a Medicolegal Death Investigator? Why is the Medical Examiners Office Here? What can the Medical Examiners Office do to help me?

Duties of the Death Investigator Scene Investigation Scene Photography Secure property that is on the deceased Arrange for proper transportation of the body Preserve Trace Evidence ID the Deceased Notify the Next of Kin Obtain medical records of the Deceased

In Other Words:

The Forensic Death Investigator is the “Eyes and Ears” of the Forensic Pathologist

Goal:To conduct a thorough, independent, investigation of the circumstances surrounding a death to provide the Forensic Pathologist factual data to be used in conjunction with the examination findings in order to reach a conclusion as to the Cause and Manner of Death

Types of Jurisdictions in Texas

A) Medical Examiner

B) Justice of the Peace

Medical Examiners Authority

Texas ccp. Art.49.25 Death occurring outside of a hospital, within 24 hours of

admission, or due to possible trauma or foul play. Death that occurs in custody Death of a child under age 6 Any death in which an attending physician is unable to

certify as to the cause of death

Scene Investigation.

Thorough examination of the scene seeking details or items that may be related to the death

Be alert for potential Hazards

Document:

Postmortem changes Position of the body Trauma Notes, or messages (computer, audio & Video

Tapes)

Illegal drugs Alcoholic beverages Weapons Medications

Blood Evidence (stains, spatter)

Useful Information

Medical History Medications and Container

pharmacy, physician, amount filled, date filled,amount remaining

Identification Documents

Photography

Photograph Surroundings

And Items that may be

Pertinent to the investigation

Exam of Body

General description of body and clothing Assessment of trauma Post-mortem changes Blood evidence Physical and trace evidence Presence or absence of valuables

Rigor Mortis

Starts in ½ to 1 hour at room temperature Peaks in approximately 12 hours Gradually declines after another 12 hours Can be affected by environment, antemortem

activity, and drug use.

Livor Mortis

“Pooling of the blood” Is “blanchable” at first then gradually becomes

fixed. Can indicate if a body has been moved after death. Color can indicate possible CO poisoning

Body Temperature

Algor Mortis

Decomposition

Begins at death. Is strongly affected by environment. Is caused by action of body enzymes, and bacteria

on tissue. Is slowed by immersion, burial, cold. 1 week in air = 2 weeks in water = 8 weeks in soil

Types of Trauma Blunt Force Sharp Force Electrical Chemical Thermal

Trace Evidence Preservation

Bags on Hands, Feet ect…. Paper not Plastic Wrapping in clean white sheet Placement in transport pouch. Alerting Prosector if biological evidence is

possibly present.

Identification

Done on scene if situation permits.

Otherwise accomplished at the TCME Office using Forensic methods

Types of Identification

Circumstantial

Visual

Forensic

Methods of Circumstantial Identification

Clothing Jewelry Place, Time, and/or Event

Methods of Visual Identification

In Person By Photograph Remote Viewing

Methods of Forensic Identification

DentalX-Rays (Anthropologic)FingerprintsDNA

Position of the body

Is it consistent with observed rigor, and lividity? Has the body been “posed”? Has the body been moves or dumped?

Autopsy Elements

Examination of the scene Identification of the decedent External and internal examination Toxicological and histological studies Interviews with witnesses, doctors, etc. Evaluation of relevant records

Autopsy Findings

Type of weapon used Consistency of wounds and evidence Determination of fatal wound Length of time of victim survival Post-injury abilities of decedent Whether body was dragged or dumped Vectors of applied force

Autopsy Purposes

Establish cause and manner of death Identify, recover, and preserve evidence Provide factual, objective medical report Separate natural deaths from unnatural Provide interpretation and correlation of

facts and circumstances

Cause Of Death

Gunshot wound to head Transection of aorta due to stab wound Cardio-respiratory Arrest

Manner of Death

Natural Accidental Homicide Suicide Undetermined

Services Provided by the Tarrant-Parker& Denton County Medical Examiners District

Examination Identification (Forensic Odentologist) Toxicology Firearms examination Fingerprint Examination (In House AFIS) Questioned Document Examination

Photography Lab Anthropology Lab DNA Testing Histology Lab Courtroom Testimony

Conclusion

The Medicolegal Death Investigator gathers Facts , and acts as the liaison on the scene between the Law Enforcement Investigator, and the Forensic Pathologist.

The Medical Examiners Office is present to determine the cause and manner death

The Medical Examiners Office can assist your investigation through the collection and scientific analysis of facts and evidence.