homicide chapter 12 ol

Modes of DeathSouth Puget Sound Community College

Forensic Homicide Investigation

Modes of DeathInvestigators must be familiar with manner, means, causes

and modes of deathGSWCutting woundsStabbing woundsBlunt force injuriesPoisonsAsphyxia (autoerotic)Arson/fire

Modes of DeathGSW:Weapon discharged four things happen:1. Fire/flame emitted from barrel2. Smoke follows flame3. Bullet emerges4. Additional smoke/grains of unburned powder follow.Material spreads out like a funnelAs distance from gun increases density of pattern decreases

Modes of DeathPROJECTILE STRIKING THE BODY: Two basic wounds1. Entrance:a. Generally smaller than exitb. Typically round neat hole w/abrasion collar c. Comparatively small amounts of blood2. Exit:d. Generally larger than entrancee. Ragged/torn in appearance/tissue extrudingf. Generally more blood

NATURE/EXTENT OF GSW:Number of factors=characteristics-distance-ricocheting-type of ammo-passage thru body-passage thru clothes-type of weapon-part of body

Modes of DeathHuman skin--elastic/resistant-bullet causes indentation-perforates/bores thru skin: 1. circular hole 2. abrasion collar/blackening effects around edges3. stretched skin then closes back Once inside body:-generally travels in straight line-contact w/bone deflects

Modes of DeathSMUDGE/SMOKE:-smoke/soot deposited into wound-wound is dirty/grimy looking-easily wiped off-close but not in contact-hold clothes for examSEARING:-yellow singed effect due to flame from gunTATTOOING/STIPPLING: (2-4 feet away)-pinpoint hemorrhages from powder-unburned powder in skin-cannot be wiped off

CONTACT WOUNDS: (stellate wounds)-muzzle is held directly against skin-shape is the result of bullet/flames/gases-larger than diameter of bullet-wound gaping/dirty-edges ragged/torn-tissue charring-large tissue destruction-muzzle stamp/brand

Modes of DeathCUTTING INJURIES:-incision/straight cut-minimum bruising-longer than deep-freely bleeding-no indication of type of instrumentSTABBING INJURIES:-piercing wounds-deeper than wide-damage to organs underneath-internal bleed w/little or no external blood-possible indication of type of instrument-

Modes of DeathBLUNT FORCE TRAUMA:-usually evident by external trauma-laceration-jagged edged wound-bruising-bleeding under the skin

Modes of DeathCHOPPING INJURIES:-heavy objects with sharp edges-axes-injury to skin and heavy damage underneath

Modes of DeathASPHYXIA:I. Strangulation a. manual-hand, body partsb. Ligature-anything-impression marksInvestigative considerations-1. Presence of abrasions/bruising2. -petechial hemorrhages3. Possible trauma to tongueII. Hanging-generally suicidal or accidental

Modes of DeathConsiderations:1. body need not be completely off the floor2. Small/ropelike ligatures leave deep grooves across neck-

higher up3. black and blue lines appear w/in groove line4. lividity will be prominent in head/legs

Modes of DeathIII. DROWNING-liquid gets into air passages and prevents air from getting to

lungs-mouth/nose only coveredIV. INHALATION OF POISON-most common carbon monoxide-pink skinV. SUFFOCATION-passage of air through mouth/nose blocked-smothering-choking-inhalation-mechanical asphyxia

Modes of DeathFIRE:-generally from smoke first-pugilistic pose-cracks open from heat-white froth from mouth-alive at time of fire-ME is only one who can determine fire or other cause of

death

Modes of DeathAUTO EROTIC:-each unique to due to fantasyFIVE CRITERIA:-evidence of self-release mechanism-evidence of solo sex activity-evidence of sexual fantasy aids-evidence of prior practice-no apparent suicidal intent