Homicide vs. Murder Investigation Fundamentals
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Questions and Answers

What are the three vital physiological systems that, when their functions cease, can result in death?

  • Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Central Nervous (correct)
  • Muscular, Cardiovascular, Endocrine
  • Central Nervous, Digestive, Cardiovascular
  • Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Skeletal

    • Which of the following is NOT a manner of death?

  • Accidental
  • Suicide
  • Hypothermia (correct)
  • Homicide

    • What is the 'Burning Bridges' theory in the context of death investigation?

  • Once anything is done at a scene, the scene is permanently changed (correct)
  • Evidence must be destroyed after the investigation to prevent misuse
  • Once a suspect is identified, the investigator must 'burn bridges' to other leads
  • Once a suspect is arrested, other leads are no longer needed

    • Who can pronounce death?

    <p>Medical doctors and coroners</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the basic death investigation sequence?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most reliable method for determining the time of death?

    <p>Inferring between the time victim last seen alive and the time when deceased victim was discovered</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of reconstructing events in a death investigation?

    <p>To provide insight about the manner of death involved</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first step in eliminating persons of interest in a death investigation?

    <p>Start with family and work outward</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of gathering evidence to corroborate the facts in a death investigation?

    <p>To confirm and corroborate every known fact</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of petechiae in a death investigation?

    <p>It is a sign of pressure from 'strangling'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most important reason to prepare a case for court or archiving?

    <p>To allow for a possible re-investigation at a later date</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not an indicator of homicide as mentioned in the text?

    <p>Discoloration of the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to report deaths in certain circumstances to the coroner?

    <p>To determine the cause of death through an inquest</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must be done if a death involves inmates in certain facilities, according to the text?

    <p>Report, investigate, and hold an inquest</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an investigative power of a coroner?

    <p>Order an arrest based on suspicion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a Coroner's Inquest?

    <p>To establish how, when, and where the deceased died</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of examination is performed during a post mortem examination mentioned in the text?

    <p><strong>Medico-legal</strong> autopsy with surgical and microscopic examination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one significant difference between Accidental Death and Homicide indicators as per the text?

    <p><strong>Witness accounts</strong> are crucial for Accidental Death but not Homicide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what cases must a death be reported, investigated, and an inquest held according to the text?

    <p><strong>Deaths that occur suddenly and unexpectedly</strong></p> Signup and view all the answers

    Rigor Mortis refers to which physiological change in determining time of death?

    <p><strong>Stiffening of the body</strong></p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Death Investigation Basics

    • Not all homicides are murders, but all murders are homicides.
    • Petechiae: pressure from “strangling” can cause bleeding from the eyes.
    • Sudden death and homicide investigations require a thorough understanding of the principles of death investigation.

    Cause of Death

    • The three vital physiological systems that can cause death are:
      • Respiratory
      • Cardiovascular
      • Central nervous system
    • Cessation of functions of these systems will result in death.

    Manner of Death

    • The five manners of death are:
      • Homicide
      • Suicide
      • Accidental
      • Natural Causes
      • Undetermined

    Death Scene Investigation

    • The death scene is a crime scene where the same investigative principles apply.
    • The scene may be inside or outside, and the body may be intact, dismembered, or decomposed.
    • The "Burning Bridges" theory states that once anything is done at a scene, it can never be restored to its original state.

    Death Pronouncement

    • Only a medical doctor (including coroners) may pronounce death.
    • Death may be presumed by anyone in certain circumstances, such as:
      • Decapitation
      • Transection
      • Gross decomposition
      • Grossly charred body
      • Gross outpouring of cranial or visceral contents
      • Gross rigor mortis in a pulseless and apneic patient

    Basic Death Investigation Sequence

    • Keep an open mind and investigate every death as a homicide until homicide can be eliminated.
    • Eliminate suicide, accidental death, and natural causes in that order.
    • What is left must be undetermined.

    Identification of the Deceased

    • Identification of the deceased is a vital part of any death investigation.
    • Methods of identification include:
      • Witnesses
      • Location
      • Fingerprints
      • X-rays
      • Dental records
      • DNA

    Determining Cause of Death

    • Cause of death can only be determined by a pathologist.
    • Brief the coroner and pathologist on the known circumstances of the investigation.
    • Arrange for a post-mortem examination at the earliest opportunity.

    Determining Time of Death

    • Determining time of death using post-mortem artifacts is unreliable and inaccurate.
    • Time of death may be inferred between the time the victim was last seen alive and the time the deceased victim was discovered.

    Investigative Procedures

    • Reconstruct events:
      • Pre-mortem
      • Peri-mortem
      • Post-mortem
    • Conduct interviews and canvasses.
    • Gather evidence to corroborate the facts.
    • Eliminate persons of interest from the investigation.
    • Establish alibis and corroborate information.

    Indicators of Homicide, Suicide, and Accidental Death

    • Indicators of homicide include:
      • Multiple or unusually located wounds
      • Defense wounds
      • Disruption of the deceased's clothing
      • Signs of struggle or disturbance
      • Evidence of other persons at the scene
    • Indicators of suicide include:
      • Absence of homicide indicators
      • Age
      • Gender
      • Time of year
      • Suicide note
      • Motive
    • Indicators of accidental death include:
      • Absence of indicators of homicide and suicide
      • Circumstances of the death
      • Witness accounts
      • Autoerotic deaths

    Post-Mortem Physiological Changes

    • Post-mortem physiological changes can be used to determine time of death, including:
      • Body temperature (algor mortis)
      • Rigor mortis (12 hours)
      • Livor mortis (blood pooling at the lowest part of the body)
      • Gastric contents
      • Decomposition (entomology)

    The Role of the Coroner

    • The coroner is responsible for investigating deaths that occur in certain circumstances, including:
      • Violence
      • Misadventure
      • Negligence
      • Misconduct
      • Malpractice
      • During pregnancy or following pregnancy
      • Suddenly and unexpectedly
      • From disease or sickness for which the person was not treated
      • From any cause other than disease
    • Mandatory death reporting includes deaths that occur in:
      • Provincial institutions
      • Psychiatric facilities
      • Nursing homes
      • Homes for the aged
    • Mandatory inquests are required for deaths that occur in:
      • Psychiatric facilities
      • Adult or young offender correctional institutions
      • Police custody
      • Construction projects
      • Mines

    Investigative Powers of a Coroner

    • The coroner has the power to:
      • View or take possession of any dead body
      • Enter and inspect places where a dead body is found
      • Inspect and extract information from records or writings relating to the deceased
      • Seize anything that may be material to the investigation

    Purpose of a Coroner's Inquest

    • The purpose of a coroner's inquest is to determine:
      • Who the deceased was
      • How the deceased came to their death
      • When the deceased came to their death
      • Where the deceased came to their death
      • By what means the deceased came to their death

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    Description

    Learn about the key differences between homicide and murder, how murders can be disguised, and the importance of death scene investigation in apprehending offenders. Gain insight into determining the cause of death and interpreting death scenes.

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