Forensic Pathology of Trauma

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

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2. The “Complete Autopsy”

   Pages 1-22

3. Postmortem Changes

   Pages 23-64

4. Asphyxia

   Pages 65-179

5. Thermal Injury

   Pages 181-242

6. Bodies Recovered From Water

   Pages 243-293

7. Penetrating Trauma

   Pages 295-356

8. Penetrating Trauma

   Pages 357-403

9. Blunt Trauma

   Pages 405-518

10. Craniocerebral Trauma and Vertebrospinal Trauma

    Pages 519-606

11. Sudden Neurological Death

    Pages 607-622

12. Back Matter

    Pages 623-646

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The practice of forensic pathology includes the collection and analysis of evidence in relation to a corpse in order to establish the cause of death. Knowledge of the cause of death contributes to the determination of the manner of death by medical examiners and coroners, who are occasionally assisted by law enforcement officers. In the process of establishing the cause and manner of death, representatives of various investigative bodies have several responsibilities, including explaining the death to family members, attempting to reduce the risk of similar deaths in the future, and, if applicable, apprehending the individuals who are responsible for the death. The most well-known and popular role of a forensic pathologist is in the inves- gation of cases of suspicious death; however, most medicolegal autopsies involve unexpected deaths that are above suspicion, many of which are caused by trauma (trauma being defined as any physical force or agent that causes bodily harm). The purposeof Forensic Pathology of Trauma: Common Problems for the Pathologist is to provide practical advice and information about the conduct of the forensic autopsy in cases of trauma, and to offer guidance about the analysis of the autopsy findings in these cases.

• Autopsy
• forensic pathology
• pathology
• trauma

From the reviews:

"Drs. Shkrum and Ramsay have produced a work that should grace not only every general pathologist’s bookshelf, but that of every forensic pathologist and death investigator as well. … major work of excellent scholarship, articulate, and accessible to the non-forensic pathologist and medical examiner alike. … I will refer to this outstanding book for years to come." (Gregory J. Davis, Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal, December, 2007)

• Department of Pathology, London Health Sciences Centre and The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada

  Michael J. Shkrum

• Departments of Pathology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre and The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada

  David A. Ramsay

Policies and ethics