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Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F- ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton
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Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Dec 29, 2015

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Page 1: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Death Scene Investigation&

The Medicolegal Death Investigator

Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI

Senior Forensic Death Investigator

Tarrant, Parker & Denton County Medical Examiners District

Page 2: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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

Page 3: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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

Page 4: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

In Other Words:

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

Page 5: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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

Page 6: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Types of Jurisdictions in Texas

A) Medical Examiner

B) Justice of the Peace

Page 7: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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

Page 8: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Scene Investigation.

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

Page 9: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Be alert for potential Hazards

Page 10: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Document:

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

Tapes)

Page 11: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Illegal drugs Alcoholic beverages Weapons Medications

Page 12: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Blood Evidence (stains, spatter)

Page 13: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Useful Information

Medical History Medications and Container

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

Identification Documents

Page 14: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.
Page 15: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Photography

Photograph Surroundings

And Items that may be

Pertinent to the investigation

Page 16: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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

Page 17: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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.

Page 18: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.
Page 19: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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

Page 20: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Body Temperature

Algor Mortis

Page 21: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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

Page 22: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Types of Trauma Blunt Force Sharp Force Electrical Chemical Thermal

Page 23: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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.

Page 24: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Identification

Done on scene if situation permits.

Otherwise accomplished at the TCME Office using Forensic methods

Page 25: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Types of Identification

Circumstantial

Visual

Forensic

Page 26: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Methods of Circumstantial Identification

Clothing Jewelry Place, Time, and/or Event

Page 27: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Methods of Visual Identification

In Person By Photograph Remote Viewing

Page 28: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Methods of Forensic Identification

DentalX-Rays (Anthropologic)FingerprintsDNA

Page 29: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Position of the body

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

Page 30: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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

Page 31: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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

Page 32: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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

Page 33: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Cause Of Death

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

Page 34: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Manner of Death

Natural Accidental Homicide Suicide Undetermined

Page 35: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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

Page 36: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

Photography Lab Anthropology Lab DNA Testing Histology Lab Courtroom Testimony

Page 37: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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

Page 38: Death Scene Investigation & The Medicolegal Death Investigator Kelly Green B.A., F-ABMDI Senior Forensic Death Investigator Tarrant, Parker & Denton County.

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