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Elsevier

Principles of Forensic Pathology

From Investigation to Certification

  • 1st Edition - October 30, 2022
  • Latest edition
  • Authors: Susan F. Ely, James R. Gill
  • Language: English

Principles of Forensic Pathology: From Investigation to Certification offers a conceptual framework and foundational approach to a forensic practice grounded by evidence-… Read more

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Description

Principles of Forensic Pathology: From Investigation to Certification offers a conceptual framework and foundational approach to a forensic practice grounded by evidence-based and mechanistic thinking. This book uses a systematic approach to address, explain, and guide the reader through diverse topics relevant to forensic pathologists and medicolegal death investigators. Nineteen chapters provide a comprehensive overview of the field of forensic pathology and discusses central topics such as scene investigation, the pathophysiology of death, death certification, the forensic autopsy, forensic imaging, pediatric forensic pathology, the importance of context, and approaches to frequently encountered medicolegal death circumstances, with mental checklists and suggestions for a consistent and considered approach. Written by forensic professionals, this book is a practical, yet comprehensive compendium for practicing forensic pathologists, coroners, medicolegal death investigators, forensic pathology fellows, pathology residents, medical students interested in forensic pathology, lawyers, and law enforcement professionals.

Key features

  • Presents a primary text that is ideal for daily forensic practice
  • Discusses how to properly investigate and certify death in a consistent and defensible way
  • Emphasizes best practices in the field, providing an approach that is in line with today's forensic pathologist

Readership

Practicing forensic pathologists, coroners, medicolegal death investigators, forensic pathology fellows, pathology residents, medical students interested in forensic pathology, lawyers, and law enforcement professionals

Table of contents

1. Forensic pathology: overview

2. Thinking forensically: planning, anticipating, observing, documenting, inquiring, synthesizing, opining, and communicating, in that order

3. The pathophysiology of death and death certification

4. The scene investigation, postmortem changes, and time of death

5. The forensic autopsy

6. Approach to forensic perinatal and pediatric pathology

7. Approach to natural deaths (adult)

8. Approach to medical intervention-related deaths

9. Approach to firearms deaths

10. Approach to blunt, sharp, and transportation deaths

11. Approach to asphyxial deaths

12. Approach to burns, blast, and radiation injury

13. Approach to environmental deaths

14. Approach to toxicological deaths

15. Special topics: in-custody deaths, physical altercations, neglect (adult), approach to unexpected hemorrhage, and delayed and concealed homicides

16. Communication

17. The forensic pathologist's public health role

18. Developments in postmortem imaging

19. Recent and ongoing technological advancements in forensic pathology practice
I. Appendices
Appendix A. Formats of autopsy report final diagnoses
Appendix B. Format of the autopsy report
Appendix C. Autopsy report templates
Appendix D. Library for forensic pathology fellows
Appendix E. Hirschisms and Adelsonisms

Review quotes

"The uniqueness of this book lies in the systematic outlining of how conclusions are arrived at, with an emphasis on consistency and rationality over dogmatism…The tenets of this book emphasize an orderly approach to the medicolegal death investigation and autopsy report. To address the daunting task of codifying forensic thinking, the text outlines practical considerations necessary for accurate interpretations of postmortem examination findings, along with common mistakes and cognitive errors to avoid. Concepts, standards, and pathophysiologic principles are laid out in dense text, with full-color photographs used to illustrate important ideas. The book is well-researched, with abundant resources listed at the end of each chapter...Ely and Gill's Principles of Forensic Pathology: From Investigation to Certification addresses a deficiency in the forensic literature by offering recommendations that bridge the gap between foundational knowledge and the wisdom of experience."—Journal of Forensic Sciences

"…[The] most fascinating books I've read in many years… The text is approachable, the organization leads the reader logically through the entire forensic pathology process, the photos clearly demonstrate the points that are being discussed, and the watercolors are eye-catching...This book is for anyone with an interest in forensic pathology. It is not for forensic pathologists only."—Testimonial by Andie Kramer, ASKramer Law

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: November 7, 2022
  • Language: English

About the authors

SE

Susan F. Ely

Dr. Ely is currently the Fellowship Training Program Director and a senior medical examiner for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York. She is also a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Forensic Medicine at the New York University School of Medicine. * The views expressed in the ‘Principles of Forensic Pathology: From Investigation to Certification’ do not necessarily represent the views of the City, OCME, or New York University.
Affiliations and expertise
Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York, Department of Forensic Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, NY, United States * The views expressed in the ‘Principles of Forensic Pathology: From Investigation to Certification’ do not necessarily represent the views of the City of New York or of New York University.

JG

James R. Gill

Dr. Gill is the current Chief Medical Examiner of Connecticut, current Chair of the Forensic Pathology Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and a past President of the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). He has faculty medical appointments at Yale University, University of Connecticut, and Quinnipiac University. He did his pathology training at Yale and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He did his forensic pathology fellowship at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (with Dr. Ely) under the direction of Dr. Charles. S. Hirsch. Prior to Connecticut, he was the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for Bronx County in New York City. He has testified over 400 times in criminal and civil matters in State and Federal courts and has published over 100 scientific articles and book chapters on a variety of forensic pathology topics.
Affiliations and expertise
Chief Medical Examiner of Connecticut; Yale University, University of Connecticut, and Quinnipiac University faculty medical school appointments

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