The forensic pathologist is at the forefront of every murder investigation. It is their initial observations that will determine the thrust of subsequent police enquiries. Depending on the circumstances of death, an area pathologist on the official Home Office register will examine the body at the scene of the crime as soon as possible after its discovery.
Their task is to ascertain the context of the crime and give advice as to how the body should be 'packed' and transported back to the mortuary. Sometimes he will also take what is known as trace evidence, such as fibres from clothing.
If the body has been found relatively quickly after death, taking the temperature of the body is one of the best methods of ascertaining the time of death and this will be done by placing a thermometer into the rectum or vagina, or by using a special ear thermometer.
Not sure if that is the exact term used, mazeppa....but yes, EVERYTHING is tested for everything. Body heat, and the onset or progression of rigor mortis, are the two most basic methods of detirmining time of death.
"Say hello, to everything you've left behind....it's even more a part of your life now that you can't touch it."
Murder Autopsy [p]
Posted - 05 May 2004 : 3:42:12 PM
