ABSTRACT

Personal attendance at the crime scene is the first important step in a successful investigation of a gunshot victim. It is my experience that all case attendances have something to offer, if nothing more than to foster good relationships between the office of the coroner, police, and specialist investigating agencies. In spite of what the media, television dramas, and novels might suggest, it is conceded that not all jurisdictions require the personal attendance of the forensic pathologist. In Victoria, the request for personal attendance is at the behest of the rostered investigating homicide squad.