Water-Related Death Investigation

Erica J. Armstrong, MD, is a Forensic Pathologist for the Office of the Cuyahoga County Coroner in Cleveland, Ohio. Kevin L. Erskine is a Master Criminal Investigator for the Cleveland Lakefront State Park Police.

Introduction; E. J. Armstrong, MD
Drowning: A Diagnosis of Exclusion
Drowning Statistics
The Drowning Process
Importance of a Good Scene Investigation
The Role of the Coroner/Medical Examiner in Medicolegal Death Investigation
Investigative Duties on Scene; K. L. Erskine
Securing the Scene
Determining Scene Boundaries
Documenting the Scene
Search for Evidence
Significance of the Absence or Presence of Clothing or Other Coverings on the Body
Investigative Characteristics of Selected Scenes
On-Scene Body Assessment; K. L. Erskine and E. J. Armstrong, MD
Introduction
Postmortem Wandering
General Body Assessment
Ocular Changes
Foam Column/Foam Cone
Rigor Mortis (Rigidity)
Livor Mortis (Lividity)
Lividity vs. Bruising (Contusion)
Algor Mortis
Physical Wounding of the Body
Anthropophagy
Maggots
Decomposition
Fingerprinting the Deceased in Water-Related Deaths
Case Investigation: Obtaining Decedent, Witness, Suspect, and First Responder Information; K. L. Erskine
Decedent Information
Determining Accuracy of Statements Obtained at Scene
Nonverbal Communication
Why People Lie and How They Attempt to Conceal It
Child Witnesses
Interviews of Rescue and Recovery Personnel
Pretrial Preparation for the Field Investigator; K. L. Erskine
Incident Report
Chain of Evidence and Exhibits
Pretrial Interviews
Eyewitness Testimony vs. Circumstantial Evidence
Child Witnesses
Expert Witnesses
Video and Audio Recordings
Testifying in Court: Credibility, Appearance, and Demeanor
Criminal vs. Civil Proceedings
Case Studies
Medicolegal Investigation of Deaths: Initial Processing; E. J. Armstrong, MD
The Medicolegal Autopsy; E. J. Armstrong, MD
Introduction
External Examination: General Information
Internal Examination
Reporting
Application of Medicine and Pathology to Law: The Forensic Pathologist as an Expert Witness
Asphyxia; E. J. Armstrong, MD
The Forensic Pathological Aspects of Deaths Due to Drowning and Bodies Recovered from Fluid Environments; E. J. Armstrong, MD
Introduction
Water-Related Deaths: Initial Processing
The Autopsy and the Diagnosis of Drowning and Other Water-Related Injury
The Forensic Toxicological Aspects of Deaths Due to Drowning and Bodies Recovered from Fluid Environments; E. J. Armstrong, MD
Introduction
Ethanol
Psychiatric Medications
Illicit Drugs and Medications
Carbon Monoxide
Water-Related Deaths by Manner; E. J. Armstrong, MD
Homicidal Water-Related Deaths
Suicidal Water-Related Deaths
Accidental Water-Related Deaths
Natural Water-Related Deaths
Undetermined Water-Related Deaths
Appendix A
Appendix B: Body Drop Rate Chart
Appendix C: Body Recovery Checklist and Automobile
Appendix D: Sample Autopsy Report
Appendix E: You Make the Call
Index