FOR10002 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Forensic Pathology, Thoracic Vertebrae, Blunt Trauma
Forensic Science - FOR10002
Week 12 Human Remains
Human remains refer to the body of a deceased person, in whole or parts, regardless of its stage
of decomposition.!
Forensic: pertaining to the courts.!
SCIENCE (Archeology & Anthropology) <—> MEDICINE (Pathology) <—> LAW (Coroner)!
Examination of human remains for the purpose of adding science to the medico-legal nature!
Forensic archeology refers to the recovery (collection/excavation) of buried evidence at crime
scenes for the purpose of investigation. They seek to protect the physical and spatial integrity of
potential evidence and remains.!
Forensic pathology is the subspecialty of medicine which investigates pathology (study of
disease) for medico-legal purposes of sudden or unexpected deaths by performing autopsies.!
Primarily focused on:!
•Causes of death!
•Manner of death!
•Mechanism of death!
Forensic anthropologists examine skeletonised or differentially preserved remains that are human
(or thought to be human) for medico-legal purposes!
Primarily focused on:!
•Circumstances of death!
•Identification of remains!
The coroner is a magistrate who investigates the circumstances of a death of a death to confirm
and certify the manner and cause of death for cases reported to them!
Reportable deaths:!
•Unexplained/Unnatural!
•Suspicious circumstances!
•Violent (accident/suicide/homicide)!
•Sudden/unexpected!
•Unknown identity!
•Health-care related!
•CoD — not signed off!
INVESTIGATION PROCESS
•Reported to coroner!
•archaeologist/anthropologist/pathologist/police to go to crime scene and collect body!
•Analysis of remains!
CASE WORK
All types of cases come under case work.!
HUMANITARIAN WORK
Working for UN, missing persons, etc on work where human rights have been violated!
DISASTER VICTIM IDENTIFICATION
Identify victims of disaster ie - bushfire, plane crash, bombing, terrorist attacks, etc!
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Forensic Archaeology!
Archaeology is searching for, locating, surveying, sampling, recording, and interpreting evidence,
as well as the recovery and documentation of human remains and associated evidence.!
Main principle is on temporal (time) and spatial (where in its environment) relationships !
PHASE 1: SYSTEMATIC SEARCH
Walking transects and noting abnormal features for potential burial features or surface remains ie
— colour change, lack of/increase of vegetation,
change of geological structure.!
Cadaver dogs have a well-developed sense of smell
which can detect the odour emitted by decomposing
remains.!
The law of superimposition states that lower strata
must be formed before the upper strata.!
PHASE 2: EXCAVATION OF AREA OF SIGNIFICANCE
A. Subsurface Survey
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and subsurface probing to identify anomalies in the ground.!
B. Grave Identification
Machinery to clear topsoil to identify a grave cut.!
PHASE 3: RECOVERY/EXCAVATION
Recovery and preservation of evident and evidentiary materials.!
A. Mapping
B. Excavation
C. Mapping of Burial
D. Investigating Grave Cut
CASE STUDY 1: CLANDESTINE BURIAL IN COSTA RICA
An anonymous call of a kidnap victim (2.5 years prior) who had had his throat cut had been buried
beside a tree in a coffee area.!
Criteria to find a buried body:!
•Surface depressions!
•Distinct vegetation!
•Places free of large trees/roots/boulders!
•Areas of lesser subsurface compaction!
Forensic Pathology!
Brain dead refers to recently deceased individuals (or those in various stages of decomposition).!
Decomposition: biological and chemical changes to a body after death.!
Mummification: (drying out) may occur in extremely hot, cold, or dry climates.!
Autopsies are performed on dead bodies whereas biopsies on living bodies.!
Important immediate effects in human remains:!
•Temperature (temperature increases after death)!
•Hypostasis (similar to bruising)!
•Rigor Mortis (4-6 hours until 18 hours then decrease)!
•Eyes (opacity & potassium content)!
DECOMPOSITION STAGE 1: AUTOLYSIS
•0-4 days!
•Blood vessels fill with gas (marbling)!
•Bacteria proliferates!
•Skin slippage!
•Fluid filled blisters on the skin!
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Human remains refer to the body of a deceased person, in whole or parts, regardless of its stage of decomposition. Science (archeology & anthropology) < > medicine (pathology) < > law (coroner) Examination of human remains for the purpose of adding science to the medico-legal nature. Forensic archeology refers to the recovery (collection/excavation) of buried evidence at crime scenes for the purpose of investigation. They seek to protect the physical and spatial integrity of potential evidence and remains. Forensic pathology is the subspecialty of medicine which investigates pathology (study of disease) for medico-legal purposes of sudden or unexpected deaths by performing autopsies. Primarily focused on: causes of death, manner of death, mechanism of death. Forensic anthropologists examine skeletonised or di erentially preserved remains that are human (or thought to be human) for medico-legal purposes. Primarily focused on: circumstances of death, identi cation of remains.
