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Forensic Medicine
Last updated: 11 Nov 2003
Corpse: Nature, Forensics and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death |
Authors: Jessica Snyder Sachs
Publisher: Perseus Publishing, 2001 - ISBN: 073820336X |
When detectives come upon a murder victim, there’s one thing they want to know above else: when did the victim die? The answer can narrow a group of suspects, make or break an alibi, even assign a name to an unidentified body. But outside the fictional world of murder mysteries, time-of-death determinations have remained infamously elusive, bedevilling criminal investigators throughout history. Armed with an array of high-tech devices and tests, the world’s best forensic pathologists are doing their best to shift the balance, but the author provides a wealth of evidence that nature may beat technology. Plants, chemicals and insects found near the body are turning out to be the fiercest weapons in our crime-fighting arsenal. In this highly original book, Sachs accompanies an eccentric group of entomologists, anthropologists, biochemists, and botanists on some of their grisliest, most intractable cases. She takes us to the ultra-bizarre Body Farm in Knoxville, where scientists watch bodies decay in order to learn the secrets of decomposition and death. She also takes us into the courtroom where "post-OJ" forensic science as a whole is coming under fire and the new multidisciplinary art of forensic ecology is struggling to establish its credibility.
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Corpse: Nature, Forensics and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death |
Authors: Jessica Snyder Sachs
Publisher: Perseus Publishing, 2001 - ISBN: 073820336X |
When detectives come upon a murder victim, there’s one thing they want to know above else: when did the victim die? The answer can narrow a group of suspects, make or break an alibi, even assign a name to an unidentified body. But outside the fictional world of murder mysteries, time-of-death determinations have remained infamously elusive, bedevilling criminal investigators throughout history. Armed with an array of high-tech devices and tests, the world’s best forensic pathologists are doing their best to shift the balance, but the author provides a wealth of evidence that nature may beat technology. Plants, chemicals and insects found near the body are turning out to be the fiercest weapons in our crime-fighting arsenal. In this highly original book, Sachs accompanies an eccentric group of entomologists, anthropologists, biochemists, and botanists on some of their grisliest, most intractable cases. She takes us to the ultra-bizarre Body Farm in Knoxville, where scientists watch bodies decay in order to learn the secrets of decomposition and death. She also takes us into the courtroom where “post-OJ” forensic science as a whole is coming under fire and the new multidisciplinary art of forensic ecology is struggling to establish its credibility.
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Dead Reckoning: The Art of Forensic Detection |
Authors: Jon J. Nordby
Publisher: CRC Press, 2000 - ISBN: 0849381223 |
| This book examines the applications of logic and science to decipher chaotic death scenes and difficult cases, and to derive orderly explanations from their jumbled clues. The 10 case studies in this book illustrate the powers of observation exercised in reading the signs, identifying them as clues, and reasoning from them to the best explanation. For investigators as well as forensic pathologists, coroners, prosecutors and defence lawyers, this book stresses the importance of trusting your own observations even in the wake of apparently contradictory evidence. Nordby uses historical as well as contemporary cases and draws from forensic pathologists, coroners, forensic scientists and other professionals involved in the investigative and judicial process. |
Forensic Anthropology |
Authors: Robert B Pickering and David C Bachman
Publisher: CRC Press, 1997 - ISBN: 0849381118 |
This book provides guidelines for determining when to include the services of and how to choose a forensic anthropologist in crime investigations. The authors, who strive to keep the text at a clear, readable level that is informative yet enjoyable to read, offer many examples and anecdotes. Jargon is purposefully kept to the minimum, but when it is used it is defined in context so that a common use and understanding of the terms can be achieved. Other features of the book include:
- examples and anecdotes illustrate theoretical and procedural points
- presents the 10 most important questions to be asked and answered in sequence when performing an analysis of skeletonized remains
- evaluates new and unusual techniques in forensic investigations, such as facial reconstruction, blood typing and analysing bone fragments
- discusses the major categories of trauma ‚ antemortem, perimortem and postmortem.
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Forensic Dentistry |
Authors: Paul G Stimson and Curtis A Mertz
Publisher: CRC Press, 1997 - ISBN: 0849381037 |
Forensic dentistry is not an area generally covered by the FSS. However, this book has been included because of the use of DNA evidence from teeth as a means of identifying victims in mass disaster cases. It also covers the examination of bite marks on both victim and accused in rape, child abuse and murder cases, all of which are dealt with by forensic scientists.
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Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations |
Authors: Jason H. Byrd and James L. Castner
Publisher: CRC Press, Florida, 2001 - ISBN: 0849381207 |
| This collection aims to provide a broad overview of the field of forensic entomology for forensic scientists of all backgrounds. The first chapter gives an overview of general entomology and arthropod biology, while successive chapters discuss the use of entomology in determining time and cause of death. Areas covered include laboratory rearing of forensic insects, aquatic insects, buried bodies computer modelling of insect growth, DNA techniques and the use of insects as toxicological indicators. The final chapter, written by Robert D. Hall, considers the role of the forensic entomologist as expert witness. |
Forensic Medicine for Lawyers |
Authors: J.K. Mason
Publisher: Butterworths, Fourth edition, 2001 - ISBN: 0406914427 |
This book provides a broad overview of the medico-legal problems that are liable to beset the lawyer involved in both criminal and civil proceedings. The approach taken is to view these from the perspective of both the prosecution and the defence. The contents range from a description of medical terminology through the operation of the medico-legal system to the disposal of the dead. Violent deaths and unnatural deaths are discussed and contrasted with sudden natural death. The section on civil violence includes coverage of transportation accidents and sporting injuries, whilst community health is discussed in relation to transmissible disease, occupational disease and environmental poisoning. For this new edition, the text has been expanded and updated with a number of new and rewritten chapters including wounding, marriage, pregnancy, the treatment of the new-born, sexual offences, drug addiction and forensic psychiatry.
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Forensic Medicine – Clinical and Pathological Aspects |
Authors: Jason Payne-James, Anthony Busuttil and Wiliam Smock
Publisher: Greenwich Medical Media, 2003 - ISBN: 1841100269 |
This book is intended to provide a state-of-the-art information about the forensic aspects of medicine and related fields for all those involved in the clinical and pathological aspects of health care, forensic assessment, investigation and diagnosis for victims, assailants and others involved in police or judicial systems.
Each chapter has been written by an acknowledged specialist within the particular field and includes topics such as:
- history and development of forensic medicine and pathology
- death investigation
- forensic medicine and human rights
- scene of crime
- clinical and pathological assessment of war crimes
- timing of death
- suicide, accident, murder or natural death
- custody and restraint deaths
- fire deaths
- adult sexual assaults: practical management
- childhood sexual abuse
- substance misuse
- mass disaster organisation
- methodology and practical application of DNA profiling
- drug assay and interpretation of results
- medicinal drug poisoning: clinical and forensic implications
- Related Specialities, which includes the role of and techniques in :
- forensic anthropology;
- forensic hemogenetics – paternity testing;
- forensic odontology;
- forensic psychology;
- forensic psychiatry,
- forensic imaging; forensic
- forensic entomology and
- statistical techniques and their role in evidence interpretation.
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Forensic Medicine – Clinical and Pathological Aspects |
Authors: Jason Payne-James, Anthony Busuttil and Wiliam Smock
Publisher: Greenwich Medical Media, 2003 - ISBN: 1841100269 |
This book is intended to provide a state-of-the-art information about the forensic aspects of medicine and related fields for all those involved in the clinical and pathological aspects of health care, forensic assessment, investigation and diagnosis for victims, assailants and others involved in police or judicial systems.
Each chapter has been written by an acknowledged specialist within the particular field and includes topics such as:
- history and development of forensic medicine and pathology
- death investigation
- forensic medicine and human rights
- scene of crime
- clinical and pathological assessment of war crimes
- timing of death
- suicide, accident, murder or natural death
- custody and restraint deaths
- fire deaths
- adult sexual assaults: practical management
- childhood sexual abuse
- substance misuse
- mass disaster organisation
- methodology and practical application of DNA profiling
- drug assay and interpretation of results
- medicinal drug poisoning: clinical and forensic implications
- Related Specialities, which includes the role of and techniques in :
- forensic anthropology;
- forensic haemogenetics – paternity testing;
- forensic odontology;
- forensic psychology;
- forensic psychiatry,
- forensic imaging; forensic
- forensic entomology and
- statistical techniques and their role in evidence interpretation.
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Forensic Pathology |
Authors: Bernard Knight
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, Kent, 1991 - ISBN: 0713145501 |
| This book focuses on forensic pathology, rather than forensic medicine, and is intended for pathologists who are required to examine bodies found in suspicious circumstances. The author, a Professor of Forensic Pathology, takes a practical approach to the topic of autopsies. The book includes chapters on autopsy, the patho-physiology of death, the pathology of wounds, and identifying human remains before moving on to different types of injury (e.g. suffocation, burns, gunshot deaths, poisonings, etc.). Staining techniques and conversion tables are given in the appendix, and the text is richly illustrated with photographs and diagrams. |
Forensic Radiology |
Authors: K.T. Evans, B. Knight and D.K. Whittaker
Publisher: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1981 - ISBN: 0632005874 |
Contact between radiology and the law occurs increasingly over a wide range of situations, both in the application of radiological techniques to forensic problems and also where the practice of radiology itself gives rise to medico-legal consequences. This unique work is the first to consolidate, and make easily accessible, information on this highly important subject. It will provide a much-needed reference for all radiologists and forensic practitioners, and will stimulate interest concerning the current medico-legal status of their work.
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Gunshot Wounds: Practical Aspects of Firearms, Ballistics and Forensic Techniques |
Authors: Vincent J.M. Di Maio
Publisher: CRC Press, 1999, Second Edition - ISBN: 0849381630 |
Written by the nation's foremost authority on gunshot wounds and forensic techniques as they relate to firearm injuries, this book provides critical information on gunshot wounds and the weapons and ammunition used to inflict them. The author describes practical aspects of ballistics; wound ballistics; the classification of various wounds caused by handguns, rifles and shotguns; autopsy technique and practice; and laboratory evidence relating to weapons and gunshot evidence.
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Jervis on the Office and Duties of Coroners (with Forms and Precedents) |
Authors: Paul Matthews
Publisher: Sweet & Maxwell Ltd 2002, 12th Edition - ISBN: 042178010X |
The first edition of this work was in 1829, and this is the 12th edition. A great deal has changed since the first edition, and even more since the role custos placitorum coronae emerged during the 12th century. A brief, but interesting account, of the early history of the role of Coroner forms part of the introduction to this book. In the nine years since the last edition there have been several important changes; general measures such as human rights and data protection, and more specific action like the new Treasure Act, and some important cases. There is more in the pipeline. The Home Office is conducting a review which is expected to report next year, and there will be changes in death certification and the disposal of bodies following the enquiry into the Shipman case. Even if these lead to major changes in the law, it will have been useful to have this compilation of the law and practice as it now stands.
Forensic pathologists and scientists are likely to appear as witnesses in the Coroner’s Court, or in subsequent criminal or civil trials. The sections of this work on the conduct of a Coroner’s Court will provide interesting background. The sections on death, forensic medicine and pathology, homicide, notifiable accidents and prescribed diseases, and major disasters provide useful background definitions and will indicate the sort of questions the Court will be interested in. In the case of Treasure, other experts might be involved in dating and identifying the objects. The main users of this work will be Coroners and Lawyers who appear in Coroners Courts. A valuable feature of law books is the complete listing of cited cases, quoted statutes and statutory instruments, and civil procedure rules referred to in the book. All or part of the most significant Acts and SIs have been reproduced in the book in the appendices. For non-lawyers such lists are a valuable entry to the documents of the legislation. Other appendices cover fees, the Treasure Code of Practice and the Precedents for a Judicial Review. All are likely to be of use, although one would hope to avoid the last! The book is laid out in numbered paragraphs and is indexed and cross-referred by paragraph. Again, this is general practice in law books, but it makes it easier to use the index and cross references.The explanations and descriptions of procedures and the law, were clear, comprehensible, and fairly easy to follow. Forensic practitioners should find this a useful book.
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Maggots, Murder and Men |
Authors: Dr Zakaria Erzinclioglu
Publisher: Harley Books, Colchester, UK, 2000 - ISBN: 0946589658 |
This absorbing book ranges over cases from history, prehistory and mythology to the present day. The author is a distinguished forensic entomologist who has been involved in a large number of investigations. Aimed at the non-specialist, this book examines the links between the insect world, particularly the Diptera (fly family), and the human race from a range of perspectives - scientific, criminal, medical and philosophical. This is a very readable and non-technical book, focussing on the author's own experiences over 25 years of practice as a forensic entomologist.
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Simpson’s Forensic Medicine |
Authors: Richard Shepherd
Publisher: Arnold, 2003, 12th Edition - ISBN: 0340764228 |
Over the many editions since 1947 Simpson’s book has changed its role from the only, or at least one of a few, textbooks on forensic medicine to become an excellent introduction to the field. The first chapter outlines the legal system and the role of Doctors as professional and expert witness in court, together with good advice on how to behave in court. The next three chapters cover ethics, malpractice and the medico legal aspects of mental heath. The book then takes on a more medical aspect and deals with the definitions of death, post mortem changes, and the identification of bodies. There are introductions to particular causes of injury and death; firearms, transportation, asphyxia, drowning and electrocution. The next group of chapters deals with what can broadly be described as abuse, sex offences, abortion, infanticide, torture and neglect. The last group deals with toxicology. After a general introduction, various poisons are covered. Alcohol, drugs of dependence and medical poisons get fuller coverage than the traditional, but much less frequently used poisons; corrosive chemicals, heavy metals, agrochemicals and gases. There are two appendices. The first outlines the order in which autopsies should be carried out. Instructions for beginners and guidance for the experienced! The second is the preparation of the Kastle-Meyer test reagent for detecting blood. One of the few places where the book goes into detail.
With so much in just 200 pages, the book is remarkably complete and informative. It is well illustrated with coloured photographs. Attention is drawn through out the text to what to look for in an autopsy or when examining a living victim of some form of abuse or accident
The book is primarily aimed at medical students taking courses in pathology. It can also be recommended to others involved in the processes around forensic pathology – Coroners, non-medical forensic scientists, police officers and lawyers.
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Simpson’s Forensic Medicine |
Authors: Richard Shepherd
Publisher: Arnold, 2003, 12th Edition - ISBN: 0340764228 |
Over the many editions since 1947 Simpson’s book has changed its role from the only, or at least one of a few, textbooks on forensic medicine to become an excellent introduction to the field. The first chapter outlines the legal system and the role of Doctors as professional and expert witness in court, together with good advice on how to behave in court. The next three chapters cover ethics, malpractice and the medico legal aspects of mental heath. The book then takes on a more medical aspect and deals with the definitions of death, post mortem changes, and the identification of bodies. There are introductions to particular causes of injury and death; firearms, transportation, asphyxia, drowning and electrocution. The next group of chapters deals with what can broadly be described as abuse, sex offences, abortion, infanticide, torture and neglect. The last group deals with toxicology. After a general introduction, various poisons are covered. Alcohol, drugs of dependence and medical poisons get fuller coverage than the traditional, but much less frequently used poisons; corrosive chemicals, heavy metals, agrochemicals and gases. There are two appendices. The first outlines the order in which autopsies should be carried out. Instructions for beginners and guidance for the experienced! The second is the preparation of the Kastle-Meyer test reagent for detecting blood. One of the few places where the book goes into detail.
With so much in just 200 pages, the book is remarkably complete and informative. It is well illustrated with coloured photographs. Attention is drawn through out the text to what to look for in an autopsy or when examining a living victim of some form of abuse or accident
The book is primarily aimed at medical students taking courses in pathology. It can also be recommended to others involved in the processes around forensic pathology – Coroners, non-medical forensic scientists, police officers and lawyers.
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The Estimation of the Time Since Death in the Early Postmortem Period |
Authors: Clause Henssge, Bernard Knight, Thomas Krompecher, Berkhard Madea and Leonard Noakes
Publisher: Arnold 2002, 2nd Edition - ISBN: 0340719605 |
This is still the only textbook devoted entirely to the scientific estimation of the time of death in the early postmortem perod. The book covers the historical background, detailed basic research, especially temperature changes, muscle and tissue reactions, eye changes and biochemical patramers and the practical application and limitations of these various techniques in casework. All the previous work has been viewed in the light of more recent research, and a new section has been added on the use of gastric contents in timing death in the early postmortem period. Forensic pathologists, forensic scientists, police surgeons, lawyers involved in criminal trials and those studying for a specialist qualification in forensic pathology will find this book an essential manual.
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The Pathology of Trauma |
Authors: JK Mason and Basil Purdue
Publisher: Arnold, 1999, 3rd Edition - ISBN: 0340691891 |
The third edition of this textbook of forensic medicine and occupational medicine has new chapters on poisoning and drug abuse, psychiatric trauma and legal hazards facing the forensic practitioner. Chapters also include vehicle accidents, firearm injuries, modern war wounds, cutting and piercing wounds, assault of adults and children, sexual violence, head injuries, burns, asphyxia, drowning, animals, sport and aviation accidents, falls from a height, diving, mining industry accidents, infection and chemical pathology.
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The Use of Forensic Anthropology |
Authors: Robert B Pickering and David C Bachman
Publisher: CRC Press - ISBN: 0849381118 |
This book provides guidelines for determining when to include the services of and how to choose a forensic anthropologist in crime investigations. The authors, who strive to keep the text at a clear, readable level that is informative yet enjoyable to read, offer many examples and anecdotes. Jargon is purposefully kept to the minimum, but when it is used it is defined in context so that a common use and understanding of the terms can be achieved. Other features of the book include:
- examples and anecdotes illustrate theoretical and procedural points
- presents the 10 most important questions to be asked and answered in sequence when performing an analysis of skeletonized remains
- evaluates new and unusual techniques in forensic investigations, such as facial reconstruction, blood typing and analysing bone fragments
- discusses the major categories of trauma - antemortem, perimortem and postmortem.
This book is written by Americans and is aimed at medical examiners, coroners and other law enforcement officers. Chapters of interest to forensic scientists include those covering the determination of time since death, facial reconstruction and bite mark analysis.
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