ABSTRACT
From an investigative point of view, it is imperative that detectives have a practical understanding of the manner, means, and mode of several kinds of death. (See “Purpose of the Autopsy” in Chapter 18.) During the course of basic death investigations, various situations and types of death will confront the investigator. Because this chapter cannot conceivably cover all of the possibilities involved, it will address the more common methods of death:
Gunshot wounds Poisons Cutting wounds Asphyxia deaths Stabbing wounds Autoerotic deaths Blunt force injuries Arson and fire deaths
In order to provide only the basic knowledge necessary to conduct an intelligent investigation, I have purposely avoided a technical and in-depth discussion of the pathology of wounds, injuries, and forms of death.
