lacounty.gov

Fact Vs Fiction

The cause and manner of death are indisputable statements of fact

FICTION
The cause and manner of death are statements of opinion based on evidence found during the entire death investigation. The medical examiners are professionally qualified and trained to evaluate all relevant information from medical history, circumstances, witness statements, autopsy and subsequent analyses to determine cause and manner of death.

48 hours after the police get involved in a homicide, the evidence is analyzed, the suspect is caught and the case is closed

FICTION
Even the simplest homicide is rarely solved in 48 hours. The investigating law enforcement agency works with the Department of Medical Examiner to piece the case together, assessing the scene, evidence, suspects, witnesses, next-of-kin, etc. The medical examiner performs the autopsy after the body is brought to the office. In some cases, toxicology specimens and other evidence is collected and then analyzed before the cause and manner of death are determined. The law enforcement agency continues its investigation to determine and then ultimately capture any suspect(s). This process can range from days to weeks to months.

You can overdose on water

FACT

Water intoxication can occur. By drinking too much water, one can develop hyponatremia, the dilution of blood. The excess water ends up in cells, causing them to swell up. This becomes a problem primarily in the brain, where there is limited space for cells to expand. Severe cases exhibit symptoms such as headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination and mental disorientation

A single forensic investigator can collect and analyze all evidence from a crime scene and then pursue the suspect

FICTION
Crime scene investigation and analysis requires a whole team of experts to collect and process evidence. Many times, the collector of evidence is different from the analyst processing the evidence. The identification and pursuit of suspects are up to the law enforcement agency’s detectives and other officers, not the Department of Medical Examiner.

Everyone who dies ends up at the Department of Medical Examiner

FICTION
Not all deaths require investigation and examination by the Department of Medical Examiner (DME). In general, the DME investigates sudden, violent or unusual deaths and those deaths where the decedent has not been seen by a physician 20 days prior to death.

Glossary of Terms

Autopsy

also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy (particularly as to non-human bodies), autopsia cadaverum, or obduction — is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present. It is usually performed by a specialized medical doctor called a pathologist.

Biological specimens

blood, sections of organs, vitreous, bile, and urine.

Cause of death

an injury or disease that ultimately leads to death of the individual, generally determined by medical examiners or coroners.

Certificate of Religious Belief

in California, in order to execute a certificate of religious belief, a person must be 18 years of age or older and must state in clear and unambiguous language that any postmortem anatomical dissection or that specified procedures would violate the religious convictions of the person. The certificate must be signed and dated by the person in the presence of at least two witnesses. Each witness must also sign the certificate and must print on the certificate his or her name and residence address. California law allows the state to override religious objection if the coroner "has a reasonable suspicion that the death was caused by the criminal act of another or by a contagious disease constituting a public health hazard."

Chain of custody

a method of keeping track of who has handled a piece of evidence and when.

County Disposition

The County of Los Angeles will cremate the remains of a decedent and hold the cremains (ashes) for a period of time (about 3 years) before the ashes are interred in a common gravesite at the LA County Cemetery.

Decomposition

the disintegration of body tissues after death.

DME

Department of Medical Examiner

Evidence

any physical items such as bullets, hairs, fibers, biological fluids, etc., documents and statements that are included in a legal investigation for the jury’s or judge’s consideration in the determination of an individual’s guilt or innocence.

Forensic pathologist

A medical doctor who specializes in the sub-specialty of pathology that focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse. The autopsy is performed by the pathologist usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some jurisdictions.

Forensic Science

Forensic Science is the application of all forms of science to aid legal investigations.

Indigency

The lack of ability to pay as a legal reason for having certain required fees waived; being declared eligible for free services.

Manner of death

is how the death came about. Natural - due entirely (or nearly so) to natural disease processes. Homicide - due to a volitional act of another person. Suicide - due to injury that occurred with the intent to induce self-harm or cause one’s own death. Accident - due to injury when there is no evidence of intent to harm. Undetermined - inadequate information regarding the circumstances of death to determine manner; example: individual found unconscious with massive subdural hemorrhage; in the absence of information on the events leading up to death, it is impossible to determine if the hemorrhage is due to accidental fall, homicidal violence, etc.

Medical examiner

is a medically qualified forensic pathologist and government official whose duty is to investigate deaths and injuries that occur under unusual or suspicious circumstances, to perform post-mortem examinations, and in some jurisdictions to initiate inquests.

Medicolegal Autopsy

a medicolegal autopsy is done with the possibility of litigation in mind. The autopsy is designed to determine the cause of death, properly document findings, and collect evidence. A primary objective is to try to reconstruct the circumstances and events that led to the death so that a mode (natural, accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined) can be established. A medicolegal autopsy differs from a hospital autopsy. A hospital autopsy is designed to confirm a known or suspected disease and gain further knowledge of the disease. The emphasis is placed on the gross and microscopic examination of internal organs. In a medicolegal autopsy the emphasis is shifted to the external examination and the description of external and associated internal injuries. Microscopic examination is done only when indicated. Information about identification of the remains, time of death, evidence of drug use, age of injuries, etc., becomes important and must be recorded carefully. It is imperative that findings be recorded clearly and objectively. Any forensic pathologist should be able to interpret the findings years later without difficulty. The forensic autopsy protocol must be standardized and reproducible.

Next of Kin

aNearest relative: if married, the spouse, if no spouse then adult children, or surviving parents, or blood relative, according to California State Law, unless otherwise specified in a legal document.

Toxicology

or postmortem (after death) toxicology analyzes biological specimens collected at autopsy for the presence of drugs, toxins, and poisons to help determine cause and manner of death.