Forensic Pathologist Jobs: Working a Homicide Investigation

Forensic science has taken great strides in the realm of homicide investigation and has proven to be an invaluable tool in assisting investigators solve these cases. The forensic pathologist’s role is instrumental in the criminal homicide investigation. The victim’s body speaks in a language that the forensic pathologist translates into significant clues. By conducting a thorough examination of the body, the forensic pathologist is able to determine the identity of the victim, the time of death, cause of death and weapon used. Additionally, the forensic pathologist can uncover clues that lead to the identity of a suspect.

In a homicide investigation, the forensic pathologist’s job usually begins at the crime scene with an external examination of the victim’s body. Because evidence found on the body requires a search procedure, the victim is considered an extension of the crime scene.

The first of the forensic pathologist jobs after arriving at a crime scene is talk to the investigator to get the initial report and any background information on the victim. The investigator typically wants to know if the injuries are the cause of death, the time of death, the instrument or weapon used, if the body was moved, if it was a natural death and how long the victim survived after the wounding.

Before the body is moved, its position and all pertinent information concerning its discovery is recorded in detail. It is photographed to show its relative position and then close-up photographs are taken to show details of any wounds or injuries and positions of apparent items of evidence with respect to the body. Measurements are taken and sketches are drawn.

The body is examined carefully for minute items of evidence such as hair and fibers. In the case of a hit and run, paint or glass chips are collected also. It is important that the position of the evidence on the body be precisely recorded. The quality of trace evidence is frequently determined as much by where it was found as by what it is.

Taking elimination fingerprints of the victim is not usually done at the crime scene.  The fingernails are also not scraped at the scene.  These tasks are performed at the morgue to ensure that evidence is not contaminated or lost.  To protect the hands from contamination, paper bags are placed over them and fastened securely at the wrist.
   
Upon completion of the detailed search of the body, it is taken to the morgue for further examination.  The body is placed in a disposable body bag to ensure that physical evidence is not lost and that cross-contamination of the evidence on the body does not occur during transport to the morgue.

Although cause of death is the primary role of the forensic pathologist, identification of the victim is the major concern and is the first question answered.  Another external exam is conducted at the morgue and may take from 10-15 minutes or several hours.  This examination includes notes, photographs, diagrams and the use of a personal evidence recovery kit to obtain hair samples, swabs, body fluids/residues, etc.

The means used by the forensic pathologist to identify the victim are many and vary in their usefulness, depending on the state of the victim’s body and how long ago death occurred.  The body is capable of revealing many clues to its identity to the pathologist, as well as covering up those same clues.
   
The victim’s complexion is sometimes difficult to determine, depending on how long the victim has been dead and where the body was found.  Vital shades such as pale or sallow disappear soon after death.  Freckles and pimples last a little longer.  Bodies in water lose hair and skin.  The color of the eyes changes from blue to gray to brown.
   
The likeness of features can be deceptive to the forensic pathologist.  Death alters expression very rapidly so that little reliance can be placed upon this mode of identification.  Decomposed bodies in particular are distorted by gas and should be looked at again after the autopsy when gas has escaped and fluids have drained so that the original shapes are better recognizable.
   
Occupational marks or stains such as dye, paint and grease may be found on the skin and clothing can indicate what type of work the victim performed.  Debris under fingernails, in ears or in pockets may provide clues.  The shape and condition of hands will usually distinguish the laborer from the professional. These are the sort of tips that forensics schools teach during a forensics degree.
   
The clothing of the victim can provide information that can be further traced.  Brand tags and laundry marks provide useful information.  Invisible ink is commonly used to mark clothes; therefore, they can be examined under UV light.  Watch makers and jewelers often use private marks in repairs.

Deformities and birth marks are examined.  Congenital discolorations, cleft palates, harelips, moles or port wine stains are of great value and are carefully noted by the forensic pathologist.  Injuries, scars and tattoos provide useful information.  Old fractures and scars are noted, described and measured.  Tattoos with names, dates and symbols of occupation or trade can give an idea of what type of social circles the deceased moved around.

Using x-rays, the presence of arthritic and degenerative changes of the large joints and the spine are important features noted and compared.  Fingerprinting is the safest and most accurate means of identification.  On decomposed or immersed bodies, difficulties may arise.  In these cases, glove-like pieces of skin can be removed and may give perfect prints. 
   
Even markedly decomposed or incinerated remains may contain tissue that is recognizable microscopically to identify the sex of the victim.  The uterus resists decomposition longest and sections from the pelvic region may show endometrial tissue.  Skin and mucous membranes may be used for nuclear sexing in mutilated remains where the genitalia are missing.  And the well-known sex differences of the human skeleton can be used to establish the sex of bodies.

In recently deceased people, age identification seldom presents difficulties.  Wrinkles, the distribution of hair and the state of the teeth may be used as identifying characteristics.  In natural decomposition teeth are practically indestructible.  They are an excellent aid in the identification of remains and the estimation of age. 

This article has covered just some of the forensic pathologist jobs in a homicide, but trying to identify how the victim was killed is where it gets really interesting. There are some things that a forensic science degree just can’t teach you, and experience counts for more than the forensic degree.