1st Edition

Death Investigation Systems and Procedures

By Randy Hanzlick, M.D. Copyright 2006
    184 Pages 26 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    184 Pages
    by CRC Press

    Death Investigation: Systems and Procedures is the first book dedicated to the topic of death investigation from a legal standpoint as well as the administrative and operational procedures that pertain to the medical examiner and the coroner system in the United States. Unique in its perspective, this book is the only one not concerned with instructing on investigatory conduct, autopsy procedure, pathology, or the solving of crimes. Instead, it explains the concepts and principles of death investigation established by governments, and outlines the legal and administrative steps that must be taken throughout the case.

    Beginning with an introduction to the basic types of death investigation, the text explains the circumstances and statutory basis for death investigation systems. The author provides specific details about the role of coroners, medical examiners, and other forensic scientists and personnel who may officially be a part of the investigation. The overall goals of the investigations are included along with case studies and examples illustrating the procedures used in each type. The author also adds a brief summary of the specific system employed by each state. A considerable portion of the book is devoted to practical considerations such as the contents of the autopsy report, the death certificate, principles and issues related to evidence and expert witnesses, as well as a description of a typical day at a medical examiner's or coroner's office.

    Well referenced with websites and sources of further information, Death Investigation: Systems and Procedures provides a comprehensive, concise procedural reference to students and professionals including lawyers, crime scene technicians, and anyone who works with death investigation data, or within the death investigation systems in the United States.

    General Aspects of Death Investigation

    Why Know about Death Investigation?

    What Is a Death Investigation?
    Initial Collection of Information
    Scene Investigation
    Examination of the Body
    Ancillary Investigations
    Report Preparation

    Basic Types of Death Investigation
    Medicolegal Death Investigation
    Institution-Based Death Investigation
    Private Death Investigation

    Public Health Death Investigations

    Who Actually Performs Death Investigations?

    The State and Local Nature of Medicolegal Death Investigation

    Where Are Death Investigations Conducted?

    How Death Investigations Are Funded

    More on the People Who Investigate

    Forensic Pathologists

    Coroners

    Medical Examiners

    Death Investigators

    Who Controls the Scene of Death?

    Forensic Scientists

    Goals of Death Investigations

    Basic Goals of Medicolegal Death Investigation

    Goals of Institution-Based and Private Death Investigations

    Examples of Death Investigations by Type

    A Typical Institution-Based Death Investigation

    A Typical Private Death Investigation

    A Typical Medicolegal Death Investigation

    Death Investigation: The Rake Analogy

    Specific Features of Medicolegal Death Investigations

    What Types of Deaths Are Reportable to the Medical Examiner or Coroner?

    Examples of Medicolegal Death Investigation Systems

    Types of Medicolegal Death Investigation by State

    Special Circumstances

    What about Mass Fatality Incidents?

    Deaths on Indian Reservations or Federal Property

    Other Death Investigation Topics

    Who May Give Permission for an Autopsy?

    The Autopsy Report

    The Death Certificate

    Exhumations

    Death Investigation and Funeral Arrangements

    Principles of Evidence

    What Is an Expert?

    What If You Disagree?

    Death Investigation and Insurance Policies

    Classic Dilemmas in Death Investigation

    Professional Death Investigation Organizations

    Access to Death Investigation Information

    Pronouncement of Death

    Deaths in Custody and Public Institutions

    Criminal and Civil Law Issues

    Sample Autopsy Report
    Reason for Performing an Examination
    Date and Time of Examination
    Postmortem x-rays
    Presentation, Clothing, and Personal Effects
    Features of Identification
    Diagnostic and Therapeutic Artifacts
    Postmortem Changes
    External Examination
    Internal Examination
    Chest and Abdomen
    Cardiovascular System
    Respiratory System
    Gastrointestinal System
    Hepatobiliary System
    Urogenital System
    Reticuloendothelial System
    Musculoskeletal System
    Endocrine System
    Neck
    Head
    Report of Histologic Sections
    Other Procedures
    Final Assessment
    Clinical Information
    Autopsy Findings

    A Day at the Medical Examiner's Office
    Further Reading
    Useful Web Sites
    Index

    Biography

    Randy Hanzlick M.D.

    "A great read. Very informative."

    – In Journal of the American Association of Forensic Dentists, April-June 2008