Page 44 - CFDI Guide

As has been described and discussed, the autopsy may determine the type of weapon causing the injury,
or if a weapon is available – confirm or eliminate a weapon as being capable of causing the injury in

question. It is important to note that the medicolegal investigator and forensic pathologist do not
determine for a certainty that an instrument caused the injury – only that it is consistent with being

capable, or not, of causing such injury. Additional evidence, such as hair and fibers or DNA, should be used
to determine any nexus between the weapon and victim, as well as the weapon and the suspect and

suspect and the victim.

The issue of time of death, as previously described, is complex and uncertain – short of an actual witness
or perpetrator of the crime. Time of Death (TOD) is a time frame that is best determined following a

careful examination of the direct and circumstantial evidence. An example of direct evidence would be the
aging of the wounds. An example of circumstantial evidence would be a collection of newspapers at the

door and one opened for reading on the kitchen table. This is the postmortem interval – the time period
from death to discovery, and may be minutes to days or even months. The investigation should include

determining all direct and circumstantial information and evidence – from weather reports and newspaper
delivery, to decedent activities. Time of death may often be referred to as a window – on a specific date,

and between a determined set of hours, or between a range of dates. This window may be based upon
when the decedent was last at home or work and then purchased gas on the way to work, but did not

make it to work. Next would be determination of the postmortem interval – perhaps hours to days. This

information is often desired by law enforcement to assist with both finding a suspect and confirming any
presented alibis.

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