Forensics: Homicide Investigation
Homicide Investigation
More work goes into a homicide investigation than what the media alludes to. Television shows like Law and Order, and CSI show an over glorified series of basic investigations as well as highly dramatic interrogation in which each homicide case is solved within a one-hour episode. In reality, a homicide investigation is 20 times more complex than what is aired on prime time television. Cases can take years to solve, and a large number remain open indefinitely. From start to finish, a homicide investigation begins when the first responder arrives on the scene, and ends when the perpetrator is placed behind bars.
The goals of an investigation are to see if the death of a person was caused by a criminal act of another …show more content…
This estimation is important since it could prove that the suspect could have been at the scene during the estimated time frame, as well as to the victim’s family for Social Security, and insurance purposes. The post mortem interval (PMI) is the time between when the victim’s death, and when the corpse was discovered. “Understanding the processes that occur in a body during the PMI can help investigators estimate a time of death.” There are many methods in which forensic scientists can estimate the TOD, but none of them are fool proof. As a result, pathologist can usually find a good estimation of the victims TOD within a few hours of the actual event.
When a person first dies, their body stays limp until Rigor Mortis sets in anywhere from ten minutes to several hours afterwards, depending on environmental conditions. Rigor Mortis (Latin for “stiffness of death”) causes the joints of the body to stiffen as a result of partial contraction in skeletal muscles. The smaller muscles, like those found in the face, are usually affected first. Maximum rigor is normally reached within 12 to 24 hours, and can keep the body rigid for around three days until the muscles begin to …show more content…
If the victim is pronounced dead, investigators must find the murder weapon in order to have solid proof that they were killed by someone else. If a body is discovered after a homicide has been committed, investigators must identify it, and determine the time of death, which can be estimated by looking at a number of signs. With all of this work for investigators to do, how can one homicide case be completely solved within a one hour time slot on television?
Hess, K. M., and C. H. Orthmann. Criminal investigation. 9. clifton park, NY: Delmar Pub, 2010.
(Hess and Orthmann )
. "NMSOH." Homicide Investigation Checklist. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.nmsoh.org/homicide_investigator_checklist.htm>.
. "IAFIS." . N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/fingerprints_biometrics/iafis/iafis>.
. "How to Investigate Domestic Violence Homicide." . N.p., n.d. Web. <http://justicewomen.com/cj_investigate_guide.html>.
Helmenstine, Anne Marie. "What Causes Rigor Mortis?."Chemistry of Muscle Fibers. N.p., n.d. Web.
More work goes into a homicide investigation than what the media alludes to. Television shows like Law and Order, and CSI show an over glorified series of basic investigations as well as highly dramatic interrogation in which each homicide case is solved within a one-hour episode. In reality, a homicide investigation is 20 times more complex than what is aired on prime time television. Cases can take years to solve, and a large number remain open indefinitely. From start to finish, a homicide investigation begins when the first responder arrives on the scene, and ends when the perpetrator is placed behind bars.
The goals of an investigation are to see if the death of a person was caused by a criminal act of another …show more content…
This estimation is important since it could prove that the suspect could have been at the scene during the estimated time frame, as well as to the victim’s family for Social Security, and insurance purposes. The post mortem interval (PMI) is the time between when the victim’s death, and when the corpse was discovered. “Understanding the processes that occur in a body during the PMI can help investigators estimate a time of death.” There are many methods in which forensic scientists can estimate the TOD, but none of them are fool proof. As a result, pathologist can usually find a good estimation of the victims TOD within a few hours of the actual event.
When a person first dies, their body stays limp until Rigor Mortis sets in anywhere from ten minutes to several hours afterwards, depending on environmental conditions. Rigor Mortis (Latin for “stiffness of death”) causes the joints of the body to stiffen as a result of partial contraction in skeletal muscles. The smaller muscles, like those found in the face, are usually affected first. Maximum rigor is normally reached within 12 to 24 hours, and can keep the body rigid for around three days until the muscles begin to …show more content…
If the victim is pronounced dead, investigators must find the murder weapon in order to have solid proof that they were killed by someone else. If a body is discovered after a homicide has been committed, investigators must identify it, and determine the time of death, which can be estimated by looking at a number of signs. With all of this work for investigators to do, how can one homicide case be completely solved within a one hour time slot on television?
Hess, K. M., and C. H. Orthmann. Criminal investigation. 9. clifton park, NY: Delmar Pub, 2010.
(Hess and Orthmann )
. "NMSOH." Homicide Investigation Checklist. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.nmsoh.org/homicide_investigator_checklist.htm>.
. "IAFIS." . N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/fingerprints_biometrics/iafis/iafis>.
. "How to Investigate Domestic Violence Homicide." . N.p., n.d. Web. <http://justicewomen.com/cj_investigate_guide.html>.
Helmenstine, Anne Marie. "What Causes Rigor Mortis?."Chemistry of Muscle Fibers. N.p., n.d. Web.