Handbook of Forensic Pathology, Second Edition, provides an up-to-date, concise manual illustrating all core
aspects of modern forensic pathology. This new edition retains the outline format of the original, which allows
for quick access and rapid assimilation. Written in no nonsense, easily understandable language, this precise and
thorough, yet compact resource contains extensively detailed entries from two of the nation's foremost authorities
on gunshot wounds and forensic pathology. With numerous instructional charts and diagrams and new full-color photographs,
it organizes a wealth of instructional and immediately applicable information.
Introducing medicolegal casework and documentation, this resource explains protocols for the collection and recovery
of evidence and DNA analysis, and lists factors used to determine time of death and identify remains. It covers
the natural causes of death in children and adults as well as a myriad of non-natural causes including homicide,
suicide, accidental, and undetermined.
New in the Second Edition-· Introduces an entirely new chapter on nursing home death· Examines added
information on gunshot residue· Presents new research on Tasers, pepper spray, and Excited Delirium Syndrome·
Includes new full color photographs
With meticulous detail and instant access to extensive information, Handbook of Forensic Pathology, Second Edition,
is an indispensable tool for forensic pathologists, law enforcement, legal personnel, as well as pathologists in
training.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Medicolegal Casework
Five Categories of Medicolegal Cases
Cause, Mechanism, and Manner of Death
The forensic autopsy versus an external examination
Three steps of medicolegal death investigation
Handling of bodies at the scene
Handling of bodies from a hospital
Handling of bodies at the morgue
Identification of bodies
The Autopsy Report
Heading of report
External Examination
Evidence of Injury
Internal Examination
Microscopic Examination
Toxicology
Findings
Opinion
Physical Evidence
Types of physical evidence
Preservation of physical evidence on the body
Recovery of physical evidence
Procedures for collection of biological evidence
Procedures for collection of nonbiological physical evidence
DNA analysis
Time of Death- Decomposition
Factors used in estimating time of death
Decomposition
Identification of Remains
Intact, nondecomposed human remains
Decomposed or charred, nonskeletonized human remains
Skeletonized human remains
Natural Disease
Causes of Sudden Natural Death in Adults
Cardiovascular disease
Central nervous system disorders
Respiratory system disorders
Gastrointestinal tract disorders
Hepatic disorders
Adrenal disorders
Splenic disorders
Miscellaneous causes of sudden death in adults
Causes of Sudden Natural Death in Infants and Young Children
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Other disorders associated with sudden death in infants and children
Blunt Force Injury
Definition
Abrasions
Contusions
Lacerations
Combination injuries
Blunt force injury to the chest (thorax)
Blunt force injury to the abdomen
Blunt force injury to the genitalia (internal and external)
Skeletal fractures due to blunt force trauma
Extremity injuries due to blunt force trauma
Head injuries caused by blunt force trauma
Neck injuries caused by blunt force trauma
Wounds Produced by Pointed, Sharp-Edged, and Chopping Implements
Stab wounds
Incised wounds
Chop wounds
Gunshot Wounds
Types of small arms
Firearms
Caliber
Ammunition
Ballistic comparison of bullets
Theory of wounding
Gunshot wounds
Centerfire Rifle Wounds
Microscopic examination of gunshot wounds
The effects of intermediary targets
Ricochet bullets
Shotguns
Wounds of bone
Caliber determination by size of entrance wounds
Perforation of skin and bone
Gunshot residue
Miscellaneous
Suicide
General firearm terminology
Asphyxia
Suffocation
Strangulation
Chemical asphyxiants
Neck holds
Deaths During Arrest and in Police Custody: Excited Delirium Syndrome
Deaths occurring during arrest - the Excited Delirium Syndrome (EDS)
Mechanisms of death in EDS
Hogtying - Positional/restraint asphyxia
Choke hold-related deaths
Tasers
Oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray)
Deaths occurring in jails
Murder of Infants and Children
Statistics
Neo-naticide
Deaths in the first 2 years of life
Battered child syndrome
Impulse homicides
Gentle homicide
Shaken baby syndrome
Sexually Related Homicides
Rape homicides
Homosexually related homicides
Evidence of chronic anal intercourse
Fire and Thermal Injuries
Classification of burns according to depth of injury
Burn severity factors
Documentation of extent and pattern of burn
Burn survivability
Clothing and burns
Six categories of burns
Death due to burn injury (immediate or delayed)
Charred bodies
Classification of fire deaths
Antemortem versus postmortem burns
Transportation Deaths
Motor vehicle deaths
Pedestrian deaths
Motorcycle deaths
Bicycle (pedal-cycle) injuries
Aviation-related injuries and death
Environmental Deaths
Drowning
Hyperthermia
Hypothermia
Lightning
Electrocution
Ohm's law
Factors determining severity of electrical injury
Low-voltage versus high-voltage deaths
Resistance and current flow
Current flow through body
Electrocution and loss of consciousness
Electrical burns of the skin
Suicidal electrocution
Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)
Investigation of suspected electrocutions
Third rail electrocutions
Electrical shock and pregnancy
Stun guns
Judicial electrocutions
Deaths in Nursing Homes
Deaths in nursing homes
Signs of neglect
Deaths due to hospital bed side rails
Deaths due to medical restraints
Deaths due to Starvation
Malnutrition, starvation deaths in general
Nutrition and body weight
Physical manifestations of starvation
Dehydration deaths
Deaths in Association with Pregnancy
Deaths secondary to complications of pregnancy
Abortion-related deaths
Intraoperative Deaths
Deaths due to underlying disease
Disruption of a vital organ during a procedure
Air embolism occurring during surgery
Anesthetic-related deaths
Cause of death cannot be ascertained
Forensic Toxicology
Forensic toxicology
Tissues to be collected
Collection of materials
Routine testing
Drug screens in medical examiners' offices
Thin-layer chromatography
Immunoassay methods of analysis
Gas chromatography (GC)
High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
Confirmatory testing
Poisons
Drugs of abuse
Medications commonly associated with overdose
Ethanol
Methyl alcohol and isopropanol
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Drug and chemical blood concentrations
Index
