Post Mortem Flashcards
What factors should be considered in the appreciation for a PM
- ID of the body at the mortuary
- authority from the Coroner to conduct post-mortem
- consultation with the pathologist
- ID who should attend the PM
What findings from the pathologist will provide further information to drive the investigation?
- the mode and time of death
- nature and size of any weapon(s) used
- approximate height and stature of the suspect
- identifying the victim
Who may attend a PM?
Section 38 - Coroners Act 2006
- the pathologist
- the Coroner
- any other pathologist assisting
- Police
- a doctor who treated the deceased
- a doctor representing the interests of a suspect who has or may be charged in relation to the death
What Police should attend the PM?
- the OC investigation
- the OC Body
- a member specifically designated as exhibits officer
- Police photographer
- SOCO or fingerprint officer, if required
What other people should the OC investigation consider for the PM
- Experts with authority from the coroner
- ESR forensic scientist and crown solicitor
- The legal representative of any suspect (must be informed of the time date and place of the PM)
What equipment should be included to bring to the PM?
- Copy of completed Pol 47
- Deceased Person Certificate
- Deceased Person Identification
- Exhibit Schedule and Packaging
Maori Victims - culture/procedures
- Iwi Liaison Officer engaged as early as possible
- important when handling dead bodies and tissues samples to be sensitive to cultural and religious expectations
- Crown recognise the Treaty of Waitangi as the founding document of NZ
- Maori given the opportunity to bless the site before the body is moved
What must the O/C body do on arrival at the mortuary?
1 - Ensure mortuary staff do not wash the body
2 - Ensure the body is labelled and secured in the secure mortuary fridge
3 - Retain any key used to secure the body, until it is required for the post-mortem
4 - Ensure the body remains in its present condition until the commencement of the post-mortem
Formal ID
O/C body is responsible for arranging the formal ID of the body and obtaining a statement of formal ID.
Where ID cannot be established what methods of ID should be considered?
- fingerprints
- DNA profiling
- dental records
- eye examination records
What information can be obtained through skeletal remains
- Whether the remains are actually bones
- Whether the bones are human
- The age, gender, height and race of the person
What information must be supplied to the pathologist?
- Copy of POL 47
- MEK
- Toxicology kit
- Medical records of the deceased
What steps must be taken when stripping the body before the PM?
1 - The body must only be stripped in the presence of the pathologist.
2 - Remove the body from the secure mortuary fridge and assist mortuary staff to take the body into the PM exam room.
3 - Remove the body from the body bag, causing minimal disturbance to the body.
4 - Take possession of the body bag and any sheets or wrappings used to transport the body, as exhibits.
What photographs must be taken at the mortuary by the photographer?
- the body, before it is stripped
- the body, after it is stripped
- close up photographs of any wounds, marks, internal injuries and unusual features.
Fingerprinting the body
- done at conclusion of the exam
- obtain fingerprints and palm prints from the deceased
