Death Investigations

1
Death Investigations

• Chapter 7

2
Introduction

• A basic requirement in a homicide investigation
  is to establish whether a death was caused by
  criminal action.

3
Classifications

• Four Types of Death
• Natural non criminal
• Accidental non criminal
• Suicide non criminal
• Homicide Non criminal or criminal

4
Natural Causes

• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Fatal diseases

• Pneumonia
• SCDS
• Old age
• Cancer

• Typically a person who dies of natural causes
  has been under a doctors care.
• However, sometimes a death is made to look like
  it is from natural causes.

5
Accidental Deaths

• Drowning
• Falling
• Poisons
• Car wrecks
• Work accidents
• People can also be pushed off a roof and make it
  look like a fall.

6
Suicide

• The intentional taking of ones own life.
• In most states it is not a crime to commit
  suicide but it is to assist in it.
• See Dr. Kevorkian
• What do you think?
• The case of Karen Dodd

7
Homicide

• If another individual is the direct or indirect
  cause of the death, it is classified as a
  homicide.
• Can be either criminal or non criminal
• Classifications
• Criminal
• Murder (first, second and third degree)
• Manslaughter (voluntary and involuntary)
• Non criminal
• Excusable and Justifiable

8
Murder

• The most severe statutory crime
• One can receive life and up to death as
  punishment.
• 1st degree
• Requires premeditation
• Some states require that an intentional death is
  in conjunction with a another felony crime.

9
Murder

• 2nd Degree
• Intent to cause death, but no premeditation.
• An example here would be a violent argument that
  leads to a spontaneous killing.
• 3rd Degree
• no premeditation or intent
• More reckless such as shooting into a room where
  people may be.

10
Manslaughter

• The unlawful killing of another person with no
  prior malice.
• Can be either voluntary or involuntary
• Voluntary
• Heat of the passion
• Involuntary
• Extreme negligence

11
Non Criminal Homicide

• Excusable
• Someone runs in front of your car and you hit
  them not on purpose and they die.
• You were using ordinary caution
• Justifiable
• Self defense
• Who in the class would use deadly force if
  someone broke into your home? Is this self
  defense?

12
Elements of the Crime

• Causing the death of a human
• 1) Prove that the suspect caused the death
• 2) Prove that the victim died as a result of the
  action that the suspect caused.
• Premeditation is the element of 1st degree
  murder that sets it apart from all other
  classifications.

13
Intent to cause death

• Intent is a required element of most categories
  of criminal homicide.
• Evidence must show that he crime was committed
  intentional and not accidental.
• Intent and premeditation are not the same thing.
  
• Most passion crimes involve intent but not
  premeditation for example.

14
Heat of Passion

• Results from extremely emotional and or volatile
  arguments between 2 people.
• Adulterous affairs
• Family member raped
• Seeing a brutal assault on a friend or family
  member.

15
Special Problems in Investigations

• Special problems in homicide investigations
  include pressure by the media and the public, the
  difficulty of establishing that a crime has been
  committed, identifying the victim and
  establishing the cause and time of death.
• Equivocal death may be two or meanings, and the
  case may be presented as either a homicide or a
  suicide depending upon the circumstances.
• The Leija shooting case example.

16
Suicide

• More occur in teens and the elderly
• The reasons for a suicide need to be determined
• Is there a note? Does handwriting match?
• Check on prior arrangements as such w/ funeral
  home.
• It could be a natural cause of death also be
  sure
• Families never want to admit their loved one
  committed suicide.

17
Suicide by Gunshot

• Gun held against head
• Wound in mouth or in right temple if right
  handed, left if left.
• Not shot through clothing except if shot in
  chest.
• Weapon present
• Held tightly in hand

18
Suicide by Cutting

• Hesitation wounds
• Wounds under clothing
• Weapon present, especially if tightly in hand.
• Usually throat, wrists and ankles.
• Seldom disfigurement.
• Body not moved.

19
Suicide by Police

• This person is too frightened to kill himself.
• They engage the police to do it for them.

20
Suicide by Police

• Where does it happen?
• Primarily in urban communities where there is a
  larger population and higher potential for
  contact.
• But could happen anywhere.

21
Suicide of Police Officer

• The numbers of deaths due to suicide are 2 to 3
  times the number of line of duty deaths among law
  enforcement agencies and emergency workers.
• Why do they do it?
• Shift work and relationships
• Apathy from public
• Unfair Real World bad court decisions etc. Not
  real justice
• Constant danger to ones self
• Opportunity all have weapons
• More males in law enforcement and more males kill
  themselves.

22
The Preliminary Investigation

• The first priority is to give aid to the victim
  if he or she is still alive or to determine that
  death has occurred.
• The dying declaration
• Must pass the (3) part test
• 1) the declarant must have believed that his
  death was imminent.
• 2) The statement concerned the cause of
  circumstances of the impending death
• 3) the declarant is unavailable

23
Determining that Death Has Occurred

• Medically death is determined by cessation of
  three vital functions
• Heartbeat
• Respiration
• Brain activity
• Failure of the pupils to dilate in reaction to
  light is a sign of death.
• If it appears the victim has just died attempt CPR

24
The Focus of the Homicide Investigation

• After priority matters are completed, the focus
  of the homicide investgation is to
• Identify the victim
• Establish time of death
• Establish cause and method used to produce death
• Develop a suspect

25
Identifying the Victim

• Usually done by family members, relatives or
  acquaintances personal effects, fingerprints,
  DNA analysis, dental and skeletal studies
  clothing and laundry marks or thru missing
  persons information.

26
The 26 Stages of Death

• Moment of Death1 The heart stops2 The skin
  gets tight and grey in color3 All the muscles
  relax4 The bladder and bowels empty5 The
  body's temperature will typically drop
• After 30 minutes 6 The skin gets purple and
  waxy7 The lips, finger- and toe nails fade to a
  pale color or turn white as the blood leaves.8
  Blood pools at the lowest parts of the body
  leaving a dark purple-black stain called lividity
  9 The hands and feet turn blue10 The eyes
  start to sink into the skull

27
The 26 Stages of Death

• After 4 hours11 Rigor mortis starts to set
  in12 The purpling of the skin and pooling of
  blood continue13 Rigor Mortis begins to tighten
  the muscles for about another 24 hours, then will
  reverse and the body will return to a limp state.
  
• After 12 hours14 The body is in full rigor
  mortis.
• After 24 hours15 The body is now the
  temperature of the surrounding environment16 In
  males, the semen dies17 The head and neck are
  now a greenish-blue color18 The greenish-blue
  color continues to spread to the rest of the
  body19 There is the strong smell of rotting
  meat20 The face of the person is essentially no
  longer recognizable

28
The 26 Stages of Death

• After 3 days21 The gases in the body tissues
  form large blisters on the skin22 The whole
  body begins to bloat and swell grotesquely. This
  process is speeded up if victim is in a hot
  environment, or in water23 Fluids leak from the
  mouth, nose, eyes, ears and rectum and urinary
  opening
• After 3 weeks24 The skin, hair, and nails are
  so loose they can be easily pulled off the
  corpse25 The skin cracks and bursts open in
  many places because of the pressure of Internal
  gases and the breakdown of the skin itself26
  Decomposition will continue until body is nothing
  but skeletal remains, which can take as little as
  a month in hot climates and two months in cold
  climates. The teeth are often the only thing
  left, years and centuries later, because tooth
  enamel is the strongest substance in the body.
  The jawbone is the densest, so that usually will
  also remain.

29
Time of Death

• Factors that are helpful in estimating time of
  death are body temperature, rigor mortis,
  postmortem lividity, appearance of eyes, stomach
  contents, stage of decomposition and evidence of
  a change in the victims normal routine.
• Recent death
• A death within 30 minutes is normally the easiest
  determination to make. The body is still warm,
  mucous membranes are still moist, blood is still
  mosist and pupils have begun to dilate.

30
Death ½ hour to 4 days prior

• Mucous membranes are dry
• Blood from wounds are dry
• Skin blisters are present
• Body is slightly pink in Anglo
• Body temperature has dropped
• Rigor mortis and post mortem lividity are present
• Pupils are restricted and cloudy

31
Hours Postmordum,
32
Body Temperature

• Body temperature drops 2 to 3 degrees in the
  first half hour after death and 1 to 11/2 degrees
  each hour after that up to 18 hours.
• If the body feels
• Warm and not stiff Not dead more than three
  hours
• Warm and stiff Dead between 3 and 8 hours
• Cold and stiff Dead between 8 and 36 hours
• Cold and not stiff Dead more than 36 hours

33
Rigor Mortis

• Rigor mortis is the stiffing of the parts of the
  body after death because of enzyme breakdown.
• The degree of rigor mortis as an indicator of
  time of death is usually accurate to within four
  hours when used along with other factors.
• Appears in head in 5 to 6 hours
• Appears in upper body 12 hours
• Appears in entire body 18 hours
• Disappears in the same order 36 hours

34
Postmortem Lividity

• Livor mortis, which means literally "the color of
  death" is the discoloration of the skin caused by
  flow of blood into the venous spaces under the
  influence of gravity. Simply put, it is the blood
  pooling or settling into the lowest portions of
  the body.
• Postmortem livity starts one half hour after
  death and is congealed in the capillaries in 4-5
  hours. Maximum livity occurs within 10 to 12
  hours.

35
Postmortem Lividity
www.gary-c-king.com
36
Examination of Eyes

• If the eyes remain open after death, a thin film
  forms on the surface.  The potassium content from
  the breakdown of red blood cells enters the eyes
  and within two to three hours, they look cloudy. 
  Eyes that are closed develop the same conditions,
  but it takes much longer The cloudiness may not
  occur for an entire day.  This process is not
  affected by the ambient temperature and some
  pathologists think that it's a more reliable
  measure of time of death than the other five.

37
Examination of Stomach Contents

• An examination of the stomach contents, along
  with the knowledge of exactly when the victim had
  eaten their last meal, can place the time of
  death.  Although this is based on an assumption
  that the stomach digests food and empties into
  the intestines at a predictable rate, in fact
  many things can influence this process.  The type
  of food, the body's metabolizing rate, the
  presence of drugs or medication, and the person's
  emotional condition prior to death may all have
  some effect on how fast food is processed.  Even
  exercise right before death can slow it down, and
  the amount consumed.  A light meal may remain
  about two hours, a heavy meal from four to six
  hours.  Examination of the small intestine is
  also done to trace the path of the food.

38
Decomposition

• Immediately upon death, microorganisms that live
  in the body go to work to dissolve the internal
  organs.  They produce gas, which bloats the body
  before it eventually escapes.  The face darkens
  and liquids escape the nose and mouth.  The
  tongue swells and the abdomen begins to turn a
  greenish-yellow color.  Eventually the skin
  blisters and fills with fluid or gas.  If the
  weather is warm and humid, putrefaction may set
  in within a day, but when left in a very cold
  area or storage space, may be retarded for
  several months. 

39
Many Days after Death

• It is common knowledge that death attracts
  insects. What is not common knowledge is that
  there are scientists called forensic
  entomologists who specialize in estimating time
  of death. They do so by estimating what stage of
  life the insects that inhabit the body are in.
  Entomologists know which insects are generally
  the first to arrive, and at what stages of
  decomposition that other insects will begin to
  arrive.

40
The Bug Doctor

• The insects that usually arrive first are the
  Diptera, commonly called "blowflies" and
  Sarcophagidae, or "fleshflies". In temperate
  regions, they will usually arrive within fifteen
  minutes of death. The female blowflies will lay
  their eggs on the body, especially around the
  natural orifices. Eggs will also be laid in any
  open wounds. Fleshflies do not lay eggs, but will
  deposit larvae.
• Little change happens to the blowfly egg in the
  first eight hours, and total egg stage will
  typically last about a day. Once hatched, the
  larvae grow at a predictable rate. The larval
  stages of development are called instars. Blowfly
  larvae have three instars. The first instar is
  approximately five millimeters long after 1.8
  days. The second instar is approximately ten
  millimeters long after 2.5 days, and the third
  instar is approximately 17 millimeters long after
  4 to 5 days.

41
TIMELINE OF INSECT ACTIVITY

• 10 minutes Ten minutes after the body is dead
  in open air, flies arrive and lay thousands of
  eggs in the mouth, nose, and eyes of the
  corpse.12 hours Eggs hatch and maggots feed
  on tissues.24 - 38 hours Beetles arrive and
  feast on dry skin.48 hours Spiders, mites,
  and millipedes arrive to feed on the bugs which
  are already there.

42
Effects of Water

• A dead body usually sinks in water and remains
  immersed for 8-10 days in warm water and up to 3
  weeks in cold water, it then rises to the surface
  unless restricted. The outer skin loosens in 5
  to 6 days, the nails separate in 2 to 3 weeks.

43
Gunshot Wounds

• Most gunshot deaths result from handguns.
• Also be aware of rifles and shotguns.
• Knowing the type of weapon is important for
  making comparison tests and locating unknown
  weapons.
• The major cause of death from gunshot wound is
  internal hemorrhaging and shock.
• The size, number and velocity of the ammunition
  used and type of weapon determine the effect on
  eth body.

44
Gunshot Wounds

• Shots fired from a distance produce little or no
  powder tattooing or carbons on the skin around
  where the bullet entered.
• From 2 feet away tattooing may be present on skin
  and clothing.
• Angle and trajectory can be determined.
• Powder tattooing results from both burned and
  unburned powder.

45
Powder Tattooing
http//www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/FORHTML/FOR
038.html
46
Powder Tattooing

• http//www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/FORHTML/FOR
  041.html

47
Contact Wounds
Contact Wounds

• http//www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/FORHTML/FOR
  020.html

48
Contact Wounds

• http//www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/FORHTML/FOR
  020.html

49
Gunshot Wounds

• Entry wounds are smaller than the bullet due to
  the elasticity of the skin.
• Exit wounds are larger than entry wounds.
• Exit wounds bleed more as well.
• Shogun wounds will be significantly different
  than handgun wounds.

50
Stab Wounds

• Homicidal cuttings are usually deep, clean cuts
  without hesitation marks. The wounds may be on
  various parts of the body. But most often they
  involve the head and neck. Homicidal slashing
  wounds may be present. Such a wound may be a
  single deep cut on the side of the face and neck.
  Or it may be one of many deep slashes
  crisscrossing each other.

51
Defense Wounds

• http//www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/FORHTML/FOR
  014.html

52
Asphyxia

• Results when the body tissues and brain receive
  insufficient oxygen to support the red blood
  cells.
• Blue or purple color of lips, fingernails,
  toenails, and/or head.
• What could cause this?
• Choking
• Drowning
• Smothering
• Hanging
• Strangulation
• Poisons

53
Asphyxia

• Most cases of chocking, drowning and smothering
  are accidental. Most cases of hanging are
  suicides most cases of strangulation are murder.
• Autoerotic Asphyxiation
• Sexual gratification usually an accident

54
Poisoning

• Toxicology the study of poisons.
• Can cause immediate death or take a long
  prolonged time.

55
Burning

• Most burning deaths are accidental.
• People do try to disguise a murder with a
  burning.
• In hot temperatures the skin will break open and
  almost look like a knife cut.

56
The Homicide Victim

• The victims background may provide information
  about whether the death was an accident, suicide,
  or homicide. If a homicide, the background often
  provides leads to a suspect.
• Domestic violence history?

57
Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

• Sergeant Richard Beck with the Vernon Police
  Department
• Sergeant Richard Allen BeckVernon Police
  Department, TXEnd of Watch Sunday, November 17,
  1991
• Biographical Info   Age 45
• Incident Details   Cause of Death Gunfire  
  Date of Incident Sunday, November 17, 1991  
  Weapon Used Gun Unknown typeSergeant Beck was
  shot and killed while responding to a domestic
  disturbance call. He was 45 years old and is
  survived by his wife, daughter and son.

58
Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

• In 2001 more than 230 police officers were killed
  in the line of duty.
• Since 1976 a average of 79 officers are murdered
  each year.
• The officers own gun is used in 12 of officer
  murders.

59
Mass Murderers

• Mass Murder occurs when multiple victims are
  killed in a single incident by one or a few
  suspects.
• School shootings
• Typical school shooter is a young male who is a
  misfit and has been picked on.
• In 75 of the 37 school shootings studied, school
  shooters disclosed their plans in advance to
  classmates.
• Workplace shootings

60
Serial Killers

• Serial murder is the killing of three or more
  separate victims with a cooling off period
  between the killings.
• The D.C. Sniper Shootings
• Henry Lucas who confessed to 188 murders in 24
  states.
• Lust Murder is a sex-related homicide involving
  sadistic, deviant assault.
• Organized Tricks victim into capture and then
  tortures then before killing them. Usually above
  average intelligence.
• Disorganized Acts on impulse, usually below
  average intelligence.

61
Physical Evidence

• Includes a weapon, a body, blood, hairs, and
  fibers.
• A medical examination will be done. But not by
  us!
• The medical examination provides evidence related
  to the cause and time of death.

62
Death Notification

• Use a chaplain if at all possible.
• Verify that the information is correct
• Take two cars one for you and one for the
  chaplain.
• Plan who will say what
• Dont start with small talk
• Try to get people in a comfortable setting
• Be sensitive
• Provide a police department contact
• Initiate a follow up
• Ask if you can contact someone for them.