Severed Hand Case Essay
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From Sherlock Holmes to Modern Forensic Science
Case Study # 3: The severed hand case
On Monday, July 14, 2003, Oxford, Mississippi cotton farmer John Reagle was arrested after displaying what he claimed was a human hand to bar patrons. On July 15, Reagle led investigators to the location where he found the hand, and a body was discovered in the vicinity shortly thereafter.
Narrative
14th July 2003, 10:04 pm, Duffy's Bar & Grill
Police officer was dispatched to the scene at 10:04 p.m. in response to a call reporting a man in possession of a human hand at Duffy's Bar & Grill. Upon arrival at 10:10 p.m., the officer entered the establishment and was met by complainant. Complainant said an adult white male patron, John Reagle, …show more content…
Samples of Blood (type O+), Bile, and Tissue (heart, lung, brain, kidney, liver, spleen).
2. Samples of soil residue from exterior of body and clothing.
3. Five foreign pubic hairs.
4. Ten autopsy photographs.
5. One postmortem CT scan.
6. One postmortem MRI.
7. Three hollow point bullet fragments. Bullet fragments, soil samples, hairs, and clothing transferred to Mississippi State Crime Lab for further analysis.
CAUSE OF DEATH:
Multiple gunshot wounds.
MECHANISM OF DEATH:
Cardiac lacerations due to gunshot wounds.
MANNER OF DEATH:
Homicide.
REMARKS:
Human right hand examined in Autopsy No. 124G-2003 has been conclusively identified as belonging to this decedent, Andrew Fine. At the time of Autopsy No. 124G-2003, no conclusion could be drawn regarding the condition of the body from which the hand had been amputated. Further review of the findings of Autopsy No. 124G-2003 in light of the results of this examination indicates the decedent had been deceased for an undetermined period of time prior to amputation of the right hand. YCSD detectives were notified of this finding immediately upon conclusion of analysis of findings of both autopsies.
//Jennifer Johnson, M.D.
Coroner
From Sherlock Holmes to Modern Forensic Science
Case Study # 3: The severed hand case
On Monday, July 14, 2003, Oxford, Mississippi cotton farmer John Reagle was arrested after displaying what he claimed was a human hand to bar patrons. On July 15, Reagle led investigators to the location where he found the hand, and a body was discovered in the vicinity shortly thereafter.
Narrative
14th July 2003, 10:04 pm, Duffy's Bar & Grill
Police officer was dispatched to the scene at 10:04 p.m. in response to a call reporting a man in possession of a human hand at Duffy's Bar & Grill. Upon arrival at 10:10 p.m., the officer entered the establishment and was met by complainant. Complainant said an adult white male patron, John Reagle, …show more content…
Samples of Blood (type O+), Bile, and Tissue (heart, lung, brain, kidney, liver, spleen).
2. Samples of soil residue from exterior of body and clothing.
3. Five foreign pubic hairs.
4. Ten autopsy photographs.
5. One postmortem CT scan.
6. One postmortem MRI.
7. Three hollow point bullet fragments. Bullet fragments, soil samples, hairs, and clothing transferred to Mississippi State Crime Lab for further analysis.
CAUSE OF DEATH:
Multiple gunshot wounds.
MECHANISM OF DEATH:
Cardiac lacerations due to gunshot wounds.
MANNER OF DEATH:
Homicide.
REMARKS:
Human right hand examined in Autopsy No. 124G-2003 has been conclusively identified as belonging to this decedent, Andrew Fine. At the time of Autopsy No. 124G-2003, no conclusion could be drawn regarding the condition of the body from which the hand had been amputated. Further review of the findings of Autopsy No. 124G-2003 in light of the results of this examination indicates the decedent had been deceased for an undetermined period of time prior to amputation of the right hand. YCSD detectives were notified of this finding immediately upon conclusion of analysis of findings of both autopsies.
//Jennifer Johnson, M.D.
Coroner