Posthumous forensic examination: conduct and results

Posthumous forensic examination is considered one of the most well-known and common procedures in certain circles. The cases when such a study is carried out are described in different fiction (most often in detective stories). In life, postmortem forensic medical examination is used in criminal practice. It is difficult to say which sources contain the most interesting cases. Everywhere there are situations that relate to different areas of expert work. However, the practice clearly shows that specialists who work in this field remain in demand all the time.

Terminology

Forensic examination of the corpse is a scientific and practical study. It is carried out in accordance with the procedure established by law. Within the framework of a criminal case, a judge, investigator, prosecutor or other official having appropriate authority shall adopt a decision on forensic medical examination. The duration of the research depends on the object, purpose, amount of material and other circumstances. However, by law the procedure should not take more than a month. The term is calculated from the moment the specialists receive all the materials.

Structure of the system

The institutions in charge of the study are not subordinate to law enforcement agencies, but directly to public health authorities. The bureau is the structural unit. They can be regional, city, republican. Regional forensic examination, for example, is conducted, when I need to confirm some conclusions made in the city bureau, or for other purposes. The Bureau, in turn, may have several units. For example, it could be a specialized department of corpses, a laboratory, an office for victims and other persons.

Conclusion (sample)

Forensic medical examination is conducted to establish the circumstances of the incident, the physical, mental state of a person before and after the event, the age of the citizen and other things. Conclusions, which are made by a specialist during the research, should be properly designed. In conclusion, there is an introductory part. It outlines those issues that are put before the expert in an unchanged form (as they are indicated in the accompanying documents). The introduction introduces the information needed to conduct research and formulate conclusions. They include, for example, investigative data, complaints, surveys, content of medical records and so on. Then comes the research part. It serves as an objective basis for formulating and substantiating conclusions. The research part contains a consistent description of the study of the corpse and all the factual data that were revealed during it. The sequence in which the statement of facts is performed is established by the expert independently, taking into account the particularities of the case. However, the specialist should not go beyond the established rules. In particular, it is not allowed to replace detailed diagnoses of lesions with diagnoses. The expert's conclusions are motivated and scientifically grounded answers to the questions put to him. A specialist may indicate in this part of the report the circumstances that, in his opinion, are relevant to the investigation of the case, but were not requested for clarification or study. Those questions that go beyond competence, the expert leaves without attention, making appropriate notes about it. The conclusion is given to authorized officials.

Forensic issues

What is research needed for? Forensic examination of the corpse is conducted to identify the characteristics of a person's condition before death. In particular, experts identify what diseases a citizen suffered, establish a mechanism for receiving damage, injuries, wounds, fractures received by the subject. In general, it can be said that forensic examination of death is the study of the physical state of the body - bones, tissues, organs, muscles.

Specialization

It should be noted that the forensic medical examination of death is conducted not only in the framework of the criminal cases being investigated. The research can be ordered by any interested person, if necessary. The specialists carry out the study in different directions. The main task in the criminal case is to clarify the circumstances of death. In particular, the cause and time of death is determined. Based on the investigation of the scene, an approximate development of the events preceding death is determined. In the event that this was a murder, the primary examination of the corpse allows us to characterize the weapon with which it was committed.

Psychological research

This is one of the activities of specialists. The psychological postmortem forensic examination, unlike other procedures, is not directly related to the human body. To find out the peculiarities of the psychological state of the deceased, a study of documents, papers, various information concerning the behavior of a citizen during his life is carried out. In some cases, the procedure is fairly simple and does not take a long time. The duration of the research depends on its objectives and the amount of material provided. The more information provided, the more accurate will be the conclusion of a specialist. Modern experts know how to conduct a postmortem forensic examination on the basis of research from outside sources. In many cases, using a competent approach and advanced methods, specialists with high reliability establish the psychological state of a person before and during the incident. During the procedure, photographs, video tapes, phonograms of speeches, letters and other papers are studied.

Quality assurance

Posthumous forensic examination requires a modern approach. Today, experts use both pre-existing and modern methods. For more thorough examination of tissues, fragments of the body, the latest equipment is used. Often, a specialist has a very limited amount of material. For example, after a fire in which a person died, it is quite difficult for the remains to find out the circumstances of the incident, to draw up a clear picture of the event. However, if you use advanced tools, tools, technical equipment, then this task becomes feasible. Of no small importance is the experience of the specialists themselves, the amount of their knowledge. In some cases, in difficult situations, when the investigation is hampered by any specific circumstances, staff of specialized agencies specializing in this or that direction may be recruited. Their participation ensures a comprehensive review of the circumstances and materials of the case.

Finally

Forensic medical examination is a specific procedure. Special knowledge is required to conduct it. In their work, specialists follow the requirements established in the law. Implementation of regulations, the use of modern methods and advanced technologies ensure high reliability and quality of research.