Page 135 - CFDI Guide

Certified Forensic Death Investigator (CFDI) Program
Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI, CFDI-Expert and Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI, CFDI-SME
Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council (CDITC) Accredited

of choice by both actors are known to be potentially fatal and were likely retrieved with that knowledge –
but the intent of use to be determined.

➢ Wound Interpretation

In describing ‘Wound Significance’, the component of wound interpretation was briefly described. There

are many components of wound interpretation – from pattern injuries to non-pattern injuries, specific and
non-specific injuries, directionality of abrasions and lacerations, and if a specific weapon can cause the
injury(ies) or, if a weapon is not known – what kind might. This is a complicated area of expertise –

medicolegal investigators and forensic pathologists receive specific training in injury causation.

It is important to understand the classifications of wounds and injuries, as previously described, and
determine – or seek an expert opinion – if it is consistent with the incident under investigation and the

certified manner and cause of death. As an example, gunshot wounds may be contact, close contact, mid-

range and distant. Ballistics and pattern injury will assist in determining the specifics. To the CFDI it is
important to understand what the criteria are for determining a contact wound versus a close contact

wound. The next determination is to determine if that information is consistent with other investigative
findings from the scene, evidence and statements of witnesses.

The next consideration of wounds is the nature of how the wounds were inflicted and the instrument,

similar to profiling. Although not concrete, there is a psychological foundation for how injuries are caused.
In suicides it is more common for males to use a firearm than females, and conversely for females to

overdose than males. This is due to access, concern with appearance, and the decision making process. It
is also in the literature that cluster stabbing wounds may be due to anger, sexual homicide or rage. Victims

with their faces covered may be related to their killer – who did not want to see their face during the
homicidal act.

▪ Gunshot Wounds

A common gunshot wound autopsy is to the head and ruled a Suicide. With the recommended reports and
records in hand, next consider the toxicology and condition of the organs. Drug abuse affects the heart

and other organs, and can support a reported history of illicit drug abuse. Although not directly associated
with the act of suicide it is relevant to the history of suicidal ideation. Could the decedent have been too

intoxicated to cause a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was instead ‘assisted’ by an associate with a

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