Death Scene Investigation: Procedural Guide, Second Edition, Edition 2

This Second Edition is fully updated to include new coverage on shallow graves, human remains at crime scenes, poisonings, expanded coverage of projectile weapons, videography, touch DNA, death notifications, and a newly added chapter dedicated to sexual deaths. In addition, the book serves as an on-scene ready reference which includes instructions on procedure including the initial notification of a death, processing the scene and body, the investigator's role at autopsy, and analyzing the scene indicators to place evidence into context.

Topics discussed include:

• Initial response and scene evaluation
• Death scene management including documentation, sketching, photography, videography, observations, and search procedures
• A special death investigation matrix that walks the investigator though a decision tree to help in ambiguous deaths
• Contains discussion of all manners of death, including accident, suicide, natural and homicide
• Coverage of recovery of human remains from open field, aquatic, and buried sites including estimating the time of death.
• Wound dynamics and mechanisms of injury that covers asphyxiation, sharp and blunt force trauma, chopping injuries; handgun, rifle, and shotgun wounds, electrical injuries, and more

The bulleted format and spiral binding allows for easy use and reference in the field with sections that are self-contained and cross-referenced for quick searches. With its thorough and detailed approach, Death Scene Investigation, Second Edition will be a must-have addition to any crime scene and death investigator’s tool kit.