Crime Scene Identification Research Paper

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Abstract: I am a detective in a town that has elected their sheriff the coroner. It is September and local time is 2pm. A moment ago I received a call regarding a body that was found in a countryside area known for small game, namely squirrel, hunting. I am going to investigate the body and detail the methods I will use to identify the body, the signs I am looking for to tell me the length of time since death has occurred, and list the indications for determining the injuries to the body in relation to the manner of death in this paper. At time of notification, I grab my notepad journal to write down the information that I am given regarding the call and the location. I also take my forensic kit with me that includes: a camera, crime scene …show more content…

As I am looking at the gunshot wound for conditional evidence, I notice that there is evidence of stippling and tattooing on the epidermis. It is because of the stippling and tattooing present and lack of soot that right away I can tell it was a close shot that came from a distance of at least six inches away. I also note that this is an entrance wound from the observation of the wound itself being of oval shape, the skin missing in the wound, and the abrasion of the wound being darker with an oval shape appearance. The wound appears to have been inflicted by a tangential shot almost an angle with gunpowder stippling below the wound. I also note that the margin is slightly wider below the margin of the wound meaning that the bullet came from an angle and not a direct right angle bullet. I do not see any obstruction of clothing or jewelry that would cause the unique abrasion effects on the bullet wound, i.e. making the possibility that I am viewing an exit wound versus an entrance wound. The location being not exactly in the neck but right below the ear area does not give any support of a tearing of the skin from the entry of the bullet connecting to a crease. This is important detail to express as part of the location because a neck shot may involve creases in the skin. I am unable to locate an exit wound from the bullet from …show more content…

I turn the deceased over and am able to see the sign of the livor mortis existing in a fixed manner meaning death has occurred over 6 hours ago this corresponds with the notes about the rigor mortis stage observed earlier. The eyes of the deceased are closed, but by opening them with a gloved hand I can check for corneal cloudiness as this can exist over twenty-four hours after death with closed eyes. After I remove the bottom layer of clothing off of the deceased’s chest area for examination, I notice that the livor mortis is blanched on the areas that the deceased’s arm was pressed against his chest. The daylight gives the best visibility of livor mortis on the body and I take note that livor mortis is there. If it had not been for the light, I may not have seen the details of the livor mortis due to the extensive bleeding from the gunshot wound in the neck. The blanched areas reflecting the past locations of the deceased’s arm tells me the position of the deceased’s body after he died, right arm under his body with his right hand almost grasping to middle of chest area. I learn that the deceased has not been moved from front to back as the livor mortis is fixed on the front and he is lying face down. The information from the livor mortis continues to support my earlier conclusion that the deceased has been dead for at least 6 hours as the outside temperature is

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