Page 156 - 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

Blunt Force Death (2)

The victim was found by persons living in the house, unconscious on the kitchen floor. He had injuries to his head and
scalp, including lacerations and contusions – there was bleeding. There were no instruments found nearby, and no

bloodspatter. Persons finding him said he had been sitting at the table when he yelled and fell – this was not witnessed.

Law enforcement photographed and video recorded the house, exterior and detached garage. The wall adjoining the
living room to the dining room had a hole entering from the living room and into the dining room near where the victim

was sitting. Evidence collected included blood, bloodspatter, a steel rod persons reported being pushed through the
wall, and items from the table and kitchen. In one of the vehicles was found a claw hammer and gloves. The vehicle

belonged to a non-resident who was present at the time and had left the scene, and later arrested.

The victim was transported to the hospital and operated on for his injuries. He did have internal hemorrhages (subdural)
requiring brain surgery.

The vehicle owner was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery. His clothing was collected and trace
bloodspatter was found. In statements he reported finding the victim and giving CPR. The collected evidence was
submitted and examined. No items had the defendant’s fingerprints or DNA. The blood from his clothing was the

victim’s DNA.

Several evidence discrepancies were found, including in viewing images of the dining room there was no access to the

wall in which it was reported the decedent pushed a steel rod through. No trace evidence was found on the hammer or
gloves, or the steel rod. There were other similar defects, not penetrating fully, found in the wall. No other persons in

the house were interviewed outside the immediate response to the event. Family reported suspicions of the defendant
before his arrest.

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