Determining Cause of Death, Blood Types, Bodily Fluids in Forensic
When it comes to identifying the deceased forensic science and forensic medicine are both crucial weapons in any law enforcement agency’s armoury. Difficulty in Identification Identifying the victim can sometimes not be as simple as looking at their face and matching them to a description given by a worried relative …
The first question to ask and indeed to answer when looking into the area of blood types is: what is blood? What is Blood? Blood is – for the most part – the liquid part of the human body, which is called Plasma; and this Plasma contains proteins, clotting factors, …
There are many different types of bodily fluid that are secreted by the body and are also present within the body at any given time. These fluids may be useful in helping forensic scientists and pathologists put together a detailed picture of how an individual died and likewise may also …
The term DNA fingerprinting – or genetic fingerprinting – is applied to the scientific process whereby samples of DNA are collected, collated and used to match other samples of DNA, which may have been found at the scene of a crime. Why Use DNA Fingerprinting? This process is used as …
A pathologist is the senior doctor responsible for the performance of autopsies and for the determining as to how an individual died. This particular role within the forensic science sector is a demanding and sometimes harrowing job, which is not for those faint of heart. What a Pathologist Does Indeed …
An external examination of a corpse is essential at two stages in the forensic science process. The first time an external examination is carried out is upon discovery of a corpse. At this point the body should be checked for visible signs of injury and those injuries that are most …
An autopsy is performed when there are suspicious circumstances surrounding someone’s death; or when no signs of natural causes can be located. Stages of an Autopsy An autopsy takes the form of six stages: Y-Incision Removal of Organs Stomach Contents Sample Collection Head and Brain examination Conclusion The Y-Incision is …
Determining cause of death is the most important task a pathologist can perform during the course of an autopsy. In terms of legality it is a necessity for law enforcement to be able to prove beyond any doubt that the deceased has died of means other than natural causes. Indeed …
Estimating the time of death for the deceased is something else that the pathologist will have to do during the course of his autopsy procedures. In addition to this he or she may be called upon at the scene of a crime whilst carrying out their external examinations to try …
The rate of decay within the human body after death is normally split into two distinct categories. These are: Autolysis: A process of self-digestion where the body’s enzymes contained within cells begin to go into a post death meltdown. The process can be speeded up by extreme heat and likewise …
