Pearls and Pitfalls in Forensic Pathology

This practical text guides the reader in infant and child death investigation from the moment the phone rings to the final signature on the death certificate. Using an easily understood conversational writing style, the text imparts up-to-date, practice-based information on approaches to death investigation, clarifying misunderstandings and supplementing training gaps. Chapters also impart personal experiences relating to policy, procedure, standards, and the anticipation of problems during death investigations. Interspersed throughout the text are procedural standards from the National Association of Medical Examiners and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as high-quality images and observations of effective administrative and management strategies for offices involved with death investigations. The book is packaged with a password, giving users online access to all text and images. Pearls and Pitfalls in Forensic Pathology: Infant and Child Death Investigation is an essential resource for medicolegal death investigators, coroners, medical examiners, forensic pathologists, forensic laboratorians and attorneys.

    The authors discuss their personal experiences of death investigation, imparting their wealth of expertise in a conversational and easily accessible way
    Practical case examples followed by detailed discussion allow readers to apply new concepts to their casework
    Clear and up-to-date guidance dispels myths about modern death investigation regarding infants and children

Table of Contents

1. Background and setting of death investigation
2. History and philosophical issues
3. System diversity and jurisdictional items
4. The death call
5. The death scene
6. Post-scene evaluations
7. Post-autopsy processes and procedures
8. Death certification
9. Case examples
10. Summary.

Darin P. Trelka, Office of the Medical Examiner, Broward County, Florida
Peter M. Cummings is Chief Medical Officer and CEO of Northeast Neuropathology and Autopsy Services, LLC, Boston, Massachusetts.

Peter M. Cummings, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Boston, Massachusetts
Darin P. Trelka is Assistant Professor of Clinical Biomedical Science and Co-Director of Anatomical Programs at Florida Atlantic University.