Virtual Autopsies

The popular television show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigations has been on the air for 12 years, and it has brought forth the behind-the-scenes actions of criminal investigations, even if its portrayals are not always scientifically accurate. This has caused an interest in the forensic sciences that has led most people to a skewed view of how a criminal investigation actually works. The reality of a criminal investigation is that it is generally more tedious and difficult than the theory of criminal investigation would have you believe. By examining the forensic and investigative procedures of the case of Pamela Foddrill, it is apparent that the theory of criminal investigation was not representative of the procedures concerning examination

     Computer Animation is another valuable aspect in Forensics. Many People believe that they are getting “virtually framed”, and that computer animations are inconclusive. This has been shown to be wrong and is said to be much more accurate then an actual man reenactment. Computers are able to precisely pinpoint every single aspect of the reenactment. Some argue that this may “Create reality” and not illustrate it, but that’s up to the court to decide. An example of how this works was used when a snowplow struck an Iowa State basketball players car killing him. The plow driver was going 10 miles over the speed limit. This video was recreated and showed a fatal blow the side of the deceased’s car. Although he was speeding this movie was recreated with the plow going the speed limit and he still would have been fatally killed. The Iowa student didn’t look when pulling out into the intersection if you’re wondering. Also, Forensic Scientists use computer animation to simulate the aging or appearance change in a criminal or deceased individual. Though this is a great technique, things cannot always be exactly 100% certain on the reconstruction. A lot of the deciding whether this if valid, is up too the jury souly. This can even help provide the cause of death in a badly degraded badly.

This method may have been sufficient in the 10th century when people were illiterate and believed the world was flat; however, the scientific world since then has grown exponentially. Science is a powerful study, aiding us in understanding the complex process life and the absence of life, death. Pathology, the science of disease, has assisted in the arrests of countless criminals, uncovering the truth and more notably providing a sense of closure for the loved ones of the deceased. A coroner system without the foundation of science is a system that keeps murders on the streets, the innocent behinds bars and prosecutors frozen in cases. The most memorable example of inefficiency is Dr. Paul McGarry, who made careless errors in not just one but four autopsies. In the case of new prison inmate Cayne Miceli, McGarry initially determined the cause of death to be a drug overdose. Upon the further examination, a second examiner found a heap of mucus in her lungs indicating she had severe asthma. The doctor then concluded the real cause of death was the jail restraints on her chest blocked her airways during an asthma attack (Thompson, 2011, para 13-16). A peculiar fact about the case was the McGarry concluded the cause of death before he got the test results. Could he had been trying to hide something? After all, he is an elected official which according to the NAS

What three aspects does a forensic autopsy seek information about? Describe each of these aspects.

The main theme of “Final Cut” by Atul Gawande is that medicine is an inexact science and doctors are not always sure of themselves, even if they appear confident. Gawande’s main argument is simply stated: there has been a decline in the amount of autopsies performed in the medical field as a result of medical arrogance; over confident doctors believe they know the cause of death and do not want to perform autopsies. Gawande illustrates his argument by outlining the history of autopsy use in medicine, incorporating medical cases that he has experienced as a surgeon, and including statistics on autopsy usage. “Final Cut” is an outstanding profile on the decline of autopsy use in medicine. What makes “Final Cut” an enjoyable and informative article for all readers is its use of strategies associated with fiction such as the establishment of characters, balance between medical information and personal experience, and its use of active voice.

This is a picture of what victimology is. It is also sometimes a best case scenario, a dream too good to be true for many areas in the USA. CSI and other shows demonstrate how this process might work under the most ideal of conditions with the most highly trained and most capable of

When dealing with the death of any human, a thorough, painstakingly slow investigation is the only way to bring justice for a life that was lost much too soon. Every honest and truthful investigation will take months and in many cases years to complete. Detailing even the most remote evidence that may prove crucial when viewed under the light of the full scope of the tragedy should never be rushed because the mob demands justice NOW!

American colonists brought the coroner system from England intact. . Thus, the coroner’s office developed as a broad spectrum investigative agency concerned with a large proportion of all deaths. The United States ultimately adopted an act similar to the English law. It is reflected in current statutes that empower the medical examiner’s office and lay the jurisdictional foundation for the performance of medical

In this paper, I will discuss the background of forensic pathology, the pros and cons of forensic pathology, and the similar and different in a forensic pathologist and a coroner. There are various disciplines in Forensic Science that can help with a crime, and solving that crime. One of these various disciplines is Forensic Pathology which the study of disease, and its causes, moreover; it involves the discovering the cause of the death where a death is sudden or suspicion to law enforcement. While a Forensic Pathologist can be helpful to law enforcement, and helpful in assisting in crime investigation, there are cons to being forensic pathologist. Furthermore, forensic pathologist can be confused with coroner even though they do the same

This truth forms an essential link between the enforcement of law and protection of the public in the administration of justice.” Forensic pathology is clearly a crucial role in the justice system. You have to be a little weird and crazy to have a passion for the kind of work that the coroners and M.E. go through on an everyday basis. They use past knowledge to make decisions on how death occurred and they come across many different postmortem changes in dead bodies. Every field is important in forensics, but pathology advocates for truth and justice to dead

The book gives a general overview of the field of forensic science. The sections of the book include “The Scene of the Crime; Working the Scene--The Evidence; Working the Scene of the Body Human;

Crime scene investigation and medical examiner television shows are always interesting and exciting to watch, but what happens when you make the contents of that television show your life? Often times, the one you see doing the investigating with not only the body at the scene, but also inspecting the body of the victim in their exam room is called the Forensic Pathologist. A Forensic Pathologist is often called to the scenes where a death has occurred so that they can legally gather information and observations so that they can proceed with the investigation. For example, they will try to find the time of death. It is very important that the forensic pathologist be contacted very early on in the investigation, due to the amount of evidence that needs to be overlooked. Forensic pathologists are educated as physicians, and are also licensed for the practice of medicine. Regional tests are given, which means that if you decide to move at any time after taking the regional test, you will be required to take it again if you move to a new state. Autopsies are a daily occurrence, and the goal of the forensic pathologist is to recreate the series of events that led up to the death of the victim.

In modern day, with all types of technology, there are numerous ways for an individual to die, whether it was a suicide, homicide, an accident or it was simply their time. One way to help recognize signs for causes of death was determined by William Bass. In 1980, Bass started the ‘Body Farm’ behind the University of Tennessee, it was where human bodies would be placed, so him and his graduate students could observe decomposition closely (Text 2017: page 180). They started off with issues such as: how long it would take for a body to become skeletonized, as well as determining if a body was moved since it died (Text 2017: page 180). To relate Bass’ work to modern day, if I were to conduct a study at the ‘Body Farm’ I would want to find out the difference between a body that was thrown off the top of a 30-storey apartment building and a body that was beaten to death.

New technology has change the dying and mourning process by providing patients and family members access to sources like online health support groups

Pathology is the study of death and by practicing it, it can tell us a great deal about how we live. The knowledge gained from autopsies has given us the basic knowledge of everything from the way our organs work to how our body systems interact with each other. This insight has been used to modify the way we live our lives. We can tailor how we treat our bodies by recognizing what different substances do to them, thus expanding our life span. Advancing our medical knowledge, and learning new things is the way to continue moving forward as a society, and forensic pathology allows us this opportunity.