Table of Contents
Acknowledgements xi
Preface xiii
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
- History 4
- Coroners vs. Medical Examiners 8
Chapter 2: Autopsy Basics 15
- The Body’s Journey 16
- Forensic Autopsy 17
- Purposes of a Forensic Autopsy 18
- Remains Identification 28
- Final Medical Examinations 34
- Clinical Autopsy 35
- Psychological Autopsy 37
- Second Autopsy 39
- Reports 41
Case Study 1: Ryan Jenkins – Implanted Evidence 45
Chapter 3: The Autopsy – External Examination 53
- Vocabulary 54
- Personal Protective Equipment 57
- The Autopsy 57
- Intake 58
- Radiology 62
- Odontology 63
- Anthropology 65
- Entomology 67
- External Examination 68
Chapter 4: The Autopsy – Internal Examination 71
- Gaining Access 71
- Organs 77
- Head Dissection 88
- Closing Up 94
- Lab Work 96
- Autopsy Report 99
Case Study 2: Beverley Allitt – False Angel 101
Chapter 5: Decomposition 111
- Environmental Variables 112
- Autolysis and Putrefaction 113
- Saponification 118
- Mummification 119
- Bog Bodies 120
- Skeletonization 121
Chapter 6: Time-of-Death Determinations 123
- Witness Window 124
- Decompositional Changes 125
- Livor Mortis 126
- Rigor Mortis 130
- Algor Mortis 135
- Potassium Release 138
- Stomach Contents 139
- Entomology 140
Chapter 7: Writing Your Autopsy 145
- The Body’s Basic Interrogatory Menu 146
- Autopsy by Genre 151
- Considerations for Fictional Autopsies 158
- Spatial Awareness 159
- Bloody Mess 160
- Glamour Shots 160
- Tick Tock, Doc 161
- Come to Odor 161
- Bug Out 163
- Secret Identity 164
- No Body is Nobody 165
- Quick References 166
- Closing Thoughts 172
Glossary 175
Bibliography 193
Index 195
About the Author 201
