How to Avoid Not Being Intentionally Misled in a Death Investigation

Sometimes a person may try to mask a crime or mislead investigators in an attempt to escape detection or gain some benefit.

Items that may be intentionally misleading:

(1) manner of death

(2) identity of the deceased

(3) location of death

Coverup	Goal
homicide	avoid prosecution
suicide	avoid embarrassment or loss of insurance
accidental death	avoid prosecution, embarrassment, avoid arrest for drug use
natural death	avoid embarrassment if occurred in a compromising situation (such as during sexual intercourse)

Presentation	Exclude	Examination
suicide by hanging	strangulation, traumatic injury, sedation	neck dissection, CNS injuries, drug screen
suicide by drugs or drug overdose	strangulation, traumatic injury, sedation	neck dissection, CNS injuries, drug screen
suicide by gunshot wound	gunshot with gun placed in the deceased hand	powder residue on hand and clothing, nonphysiologic features
gun handling accident	homicide or suicide	powder residue on hand and clothing, nonphysiologic features
unwitnessed car accident	traumatic injury or sedation	drug screen, CNS injuries, strangulation
fire	traumatic injury, gunshot wound, sedation	X-ray for bullet, drug screen, strangulation
fall from a building or down steps	traumatic injury or sedation	drug screen, CNS injuries, strangulation
unwitnessed drowning	traumatic injury or sedation	drug screen, CNS injuries, strangulation
witnessed sudden collapse	strangulation or traumatic injury by the observer	drug screen, CNS injuries, strangulation, cardiac exam
electrocution	strangulation, traumatic injury, sedation	drug screen, CNS injuries, strangulation

A clever criminal can be quite successful in misleading investigators. The crime may only be detected if there are:

(1) inconsistencies in testimony

(2) inconsistency in facts

(3) discovery of a financial incentive

(4) repetitive deaths

(5) informant

A person may try to stage his or her own death by murdering someone and then planting false identification on the body. This can be detected by:

(1) checking fingerprints

(2) checking dental records

(3) DNA analysis

Things to observe that may suggest a change in location:

(1) pattern of livor mortis

(2) debris inconsistent with discovery location

(3) inconsistency in clothing

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