Death Investigation Research Paper

Coroners, originated in England during the early 10th century and transitioned over to the the United States in the 1600’s. Coroners were not required to have any medical training and were appointed by the King and Queen, up until the year 1888, when they would be appointed by local committees. In the United States a coroner would serve two to four years as an official, their duties included investigating the cause of death of an invidduials who is believed to have died by the hands of another or from an accident (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2014). In attrition to investigations made by the coroner, they had the responsibility to , assess the assets and wealth of the deceased, as well as tax collection (James, Nordby, & Bell, 2014)

The history of a Medical examiners origin started in France and Scotland and was brought to the United States in the late 1800s. A medical examiner is an appointed medically qualified officer whose duty is to investigate deaths and bodily injuries that occur under unusual or suspicious circumstances, to perform post-mortems, and sometimes to initiate inquests. The medical examiner (ME) is the person in charge of the forensic investigation of a death that has occurred in his or her area of jurisdiction, whether it is a homicide, suicide, accident, or other suspicious death. He or she has a number of tasks to carry out, chief of which is the determination of the cause and manner of the death through performing an autopsy . The medical examiner also takes charge of the analysis of evidence , works with the police investigating the scene of the crime, and presents evidence in court. In short, the ME is involved in both the medical and legal sides of a forensic investigation.

Forensic science, the versatile studying and analyzing of specific information from the past such as blood, DNA, crime scenes, and evidence, takes many years of experience to master but the results can be influential on many aspects of everyday life. Most commonly used in criminal justice, the career requires specific skills and knowledge. If even one slight mistake is made, an innocent could be put behind bars or the safety of a community could be threatened.

Forensic pathology includes examining evidence collected.Majority of the time they focus on unexpected deaths, homicides and accidental freak deaths.During investigations, they look for human tissues, blood, and fibers. They collect samples from hair and clothing.They also investigated and examine people who are still alive usually with sexual assault or suspected abuse. They prepare written reports to testify their findings when in court.This job includes gruesome findings, smells, and other disgusting findings.

Soon after death, anywhere from two to six hours after passing, an event called rigor mortis begins. Rigor mortis is the third stage of death. Rigor mortis is the stiffening or tensing of muscles after death. It is what causes a deceased person's eyelids to open. Rigor mortis is caused by the contraction of muscles in the body immediately after death. It starts with long, narrow bundles of cells that form muscle tissue. These cells build up electric potential by actively pumping out calcium ions. A neuron will release a signal, and when the muscle cells receive it, they open up the calcium channels in their cell membranes. The calcium ions will then rush out through the cell membranes due to the difference in voltage inside and outside of the cell. “Calcium ions will interact with actin and myosin filaments to cause muscle contraction.”(Source 6) Muscles will remain contracted, or in a contracted state, until ATP binds to myosin. When ATP binds to myosin, it releases the myosin and actin from each other, causing the muscles to release. However, when a person is dead they can no longer produce ATP, therefore, the muscles stay clenched. This causes the body to have a sickly stiff appearance. After the muscles have stiffened, the body moves on to the next stage of death.

In an ideal scenario, after a death, be it accidental or natural, the body would be immediately removed. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. When an unattended death or suicide occurs, the body may be left to decompose for days, weeks or even months. Throughout the process of natural decomposition, body tissues begin to break down, which over time can result

In Latin rigor means “stiffness” and mortis “of dead”, rigor mortis is one of the recognizable signs of death. Stiffening of the muscles is caused by chemical changes in the muscles after death, causing the limbs of the corpse to stiffen after death. This chemical change occurs with the absence of oxygen that is used to make ATP. With this loss of ATP the muscle is unable to relax. The muscle tissue is eventually broken down by enzymes during decomposition.

Rigor mortis, Latin for “stiffness of death” is the body’s natural occurrence after death (google.com).What causes this stiffness of the body is the loss of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) from the body’s muscles. Rigor mortis usually begins to show throughout the body approximately two hours after the deceased has passed away. While rigor mortis obviously affects and takes place throughout the whole body, it first affects the smaller muscles first, such as the ones in the face, arms, neck, and shoulders. After the contracting of the each of the body’s muscles has occurred, this state of stiffness usually remains for eight to twelve hours (exploreforensics.com).

Forensic Science is a vital and fascinating part of the criminal justice system. Forensic science it plays an important role in almost. every part of the criminal justice system. For many Americans, the word forensics evokes a cascade of vibrant imagery that entails crime and intrigue. It is a buzzword for DNA, bite marks, bullet wounds, fingerprints, autopsy, gore, death investigations, semen stains, and rape kits. Forensic science is defined as the application of science to the law, which is a very broad definition This can mean almost anything— accountants who perform analysis to assist the courts are forensic accountants; computer enthusiasts who hack into the hard drives of sexual predators are forensic computer technicians, the list goes on and on. The field of forensic science is growing, and the list becomes even longer as more divisions of labor and specialization occur. With this large influx of experts in fields that expand with technology and multitudes of new techniques, it is amazing that the courts can even keep up.

Every few seconds a new crime is being committed. More often than not, when people think of who solves these crimes, the first thing that comes to mind is detectives. However, when it crosses my mind, I automatically think of a forensic scientist and all the work they do that leads to putting the culprit away. Forensic science, by definition, is the scientific tests or techniques used in the investigation of crimes. All of the collecting and analyzing of the evidence can be done because of forensic science. To me, forensics are the most important element of crime solving, and that is why I wish to pursue a career in forensics. Every single aspect of forensic science captivates me.

Forensics are one of the most supportive way we make decisions today. It has helped judges and the jury of the court prove that the person is either guilty or innocent. It completely changed the way the prison system on how it convicts the felons. Not only does it help lawyers it can also be used against others. Until it was discovered those who had prior been convicted of a crime did not get a fair trial. Forensics are usually for those who are fascinated with solving crime or are intrigued with crime or murder shows or situations. (good job!!)

Rigor mortis is the stiffening of the joints and muscles in your body after death. It is a chemical change in the muscles, starting with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). When ADP and ATP stops, it starts to decrease. That, and the accumulation of lactic acid and a decrease in pH levels, leads to the firmnesss and stiffening of muscles (rigor mortis).

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, a forensic science applies scientific principles to criminal justice pertaining to collecting, examining, and analyzing physical evidence (Merriam). For example, some types of forensic sciences that used during the proceedings of a criminal case are forensic DNA analysts and forensic toxicology. Forensic DNA analysts provide biological information in relation to a specific investigation (Forensic DNA). Forensic toxicologists focus on providing chemical information regarding the body fluids and samples of tissue examined during autopsies (Forensic Toxicology). Both forms of forensic

Years ago during my military service, my interest in pathology soon came full circle after my basic and compelling education and introduction to the varied medical communities. After completing an extensive training in pathology, is where I soon became a very valuable asset and educator too many of those said industries. After participating in thousands of those clinical exercises in pathology, I was then yet introduced to another and very unique community in pathology, the forensic sciences. My medical training in the forensic sciences and my insatiable desire to gain a much greater understanding into the cause and manner in medico-legal death investigations, was finally achieved and satiated by my employ as a pathologist assistant (FMT)

Rigor mortis, (death stiffening or cadaveric rigidity) is a state of stiffening of muscles, after death, with slight shortening of fibres (Oberoi, Singh, Aggarwal, Walia, Bhullar, Aggarwal, 2015). Postmortem rigidity, commences after a 3- to 6-hour period of muscular flaccidity at death and lasts up to 36 hours, after which it diminishes. Temperature is inaccurate for determining time of death.