The Art and Process of Forensic Autopsy

Abstract Forensic science continues to shape the world of justice, fueling crime investigations and signifying the progress of modern technology. While forensic science encompasses a multitude of techniques, the literature to follow will focus on the art of forensic autopsy. Though autopsies are more often used for purposes unrelated to crime, they play such a crucial role in murder investigations, that this field of forensic science has a large impact on where the investigation should begin. Forensic pathologists perform autopsies with the goal of revealing as many facts pertinent to the investigation of criminal cases. such as how the victim died, when the death occurred, what caused the death, and the manner of the death in question. Detailed examination of the external body for various markings or physical features will provide clues as to how the victim died, when the death occurred, what caused the death, and the manner of death of the victim in question. The external examination can also reveal the identity of the victim through distinguishing birthmarks, ethnicity, sex, approximate age, hair color and length, as well as eye color dependant upon the cause of death and/or the state of decomposition amongst other various factors. The internal examination of the body can further answer those questions that remain following the external examination. Through a number of different approaches, the internal examination consists of inspecting the internal organs of the body for evidence of trauma or other indications of the cause of death. The valuable techniques of forensic science and the abilities of the forensic pathologist in the investigative process are remarkable and often times are the starting point for investigators in criminal cases. The literature that follows reveals those specific techniques and the purpose that they serve in forensic autopsies.

The Forensic Autopsy: Processes of Crime Scene Investigation “To the

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