Addresses the determination of the time of death, postmortem changes, and identification

Examines various factors used in determining time of death, decomposition and identification, such as: rigor mortis, chemical analyses, gastric contents, mummification, X-rays, DNA, physical features, and skeletal remains

Includes three case studies on "Differential Decomposition," "Time of Death" and "Gastric Contents"

Discusses how positive and probable identifications are made

Includes more than 150 black and white photographs with explanatory text

A postmortem X-ray of a male homicide victim reveals a bullet lodged next to his spine. That he was shot is clear. How recently? is what death investigators must determine. The answer: the absence of scar tissue surrounding the bullet proves the victim had been recently shot.

And while the average person may find tattoos to be creative and aesthetic, to the trained death investigator, they can actually be the key to aiding in the eventual identification of a body.

They say the dead can't speak. But in the fascinating field of forensic pathology, the deceased can tell an elaborate story, especially when death investigators know what clues to look for.

The first volume in the new Forensic Pathology Atlases: Causes of Death Series, this book takes an in-depth look at the determination of the time of death, postmortem changes, and identification. In TIME OF DEATH, DECOMPOSITION AND IDENTIFICATION, you'll learn through the extensive use of photographs and discussion how estimating the time of death can rarely be accomplished with scientific accuracy. You'll learn about the numerous changes the body undergoes after death, and how positive and probable identifications are made.

For death investigators, law enforcement officers, attorneys, and anyone else involved in forensic death cases, TIME OF DEATH, DECOMPOSITION AND IDENTIFICATION is a "must have" resource.

Preface
TIME OF DEATH (POSTMORTEM INTERVAL) AND DECOMPOSITION
Time of Death
Introduction
Rigor Mortis
Livor Mortis
Body Cooling (Algor Mortis)
Scene Investigation
Chemical Analyses
Gastric
Microscopic Analyses
Decomposition
Adipocere
Mummification
Anthropophagia
IDENTIFICATION
Positive Identification
Visual Identification
Fingerprints
Dental
Radiographs (X-rays)
DNA "Fingerprinting"
Presumptive Identification
Physical Features
Clothing and Other Personal Property
Circumstances Surrounding Death
Skeletal Remains
REFERENCES
Case Examples
Case 1 - Differential Decomposition Discussion
Case 2 - Time of Death
Case 3 - Gastric

Editorial Reviews

"The volumes are appropriate reading for death investigators, law enforcement officers and attorneys…Physicians-in-training would benefit in such specialties as Pathology, Emergency Medicine and Surgery…I anticipate that the remaining volumes in this series will prove equally useful."
--Laurence R. Simpson, Jr., M.D.-Forensic Pathologist, Michigan State University
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