SUSPICIOUS DEATH - SCENE INVESTIGATION

Book excerpt: Examination of the "the scene" is an integral part of the investigation in most suspicious deaths. Traditionally, pathologists have not been involved in this process, waiting instead for the body of the deceased to be brought to their laboratory. The current trend, internationally, is that the pathologist should work as part of the investigative team that visits the death scene, and thus collaborate more effectively with the other professionals involved, particularly the police. The editors of this book, both forensic pathologists, set out to outline a practical set of instructions for the pathologist at the scene of the crime. They draw upon their extensive experience to discuss scene management, the assessment of findings, successful documentation, continuity, and presentation of evidence. Amply illustrated with over 90 photographs, this immensely practical guide incorporates numerous case studies, pragmatic advice such as how to instruct the photographer to record the scene in a way that will provide useful back-up to the autopsy findings, and useful appendices detailing the handling and storing of evidence.