ABSTRACT
The medical examiner (ME) is the medical professional responsible for conducting an autopsy and determining the cause, manner, and mechanism of death. A medical investigator is assigned to the case and arrives at the scene to take possession of the body for transportation to the morgue. The first step at the medical examiner’s office requires information from the exterior of the body to be documented on a wound identification form. The second step is to collect any additional evidence that was not retrieved at the initial crime scene. This can include fingerprints of the deceased, fingernail scrapings, trace evidence collection, sexual assault kit completion, and additional photographs of identifying characteristics and the wounds. The third step is for the ME to complete an autopsy to determine the cause, manner, and mechanism of death. During the autopsy, photographs of the wounds can be completed to track the path of a knife or bullet through the body. Finally, when the autopsy is complete, the body can be released to the family for burial or cremation. Evidence gathered from the autopsy is then sent to the respective forensic science units for further evaluation. Once all of the information and results have been generated, the ME can issue the death certificate and make a determination on the cause of death and manner of death.
