Death Investigation: Systems and Procedures

Moving systematically from general definition through explanation, this comprehensive volume presents the field of death investigation, the coroners and medical examiners who practice it, and the goal of medical, legal, institutional, and privately requested investigations. The author includes case studies of typical and atypical investigations, including mass disasters. Well-organized and accessible, the book covers death certificates, autopsy reports, exhumations, deaths in custody, criminal and civil law issues, and insurance. A special chapter discusses the procedures for investigating deaths occurring on federal land and reservations, and a summary of the specific system employed by each state is also provided.