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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

III. Visual Evidence & Observations in Drug Cases
The scene and autopsy are important factors in drug related deaths. At autopsy may be found

indications of unhealthy organs caused by chronic drug use, and acute cause of death – such as an
acute overdose vs. chronic use with organ failure. Scene evidence includes common paraphernalia,

indications of drug use – such as keeping hydrated or aerosol containers turned upside (huffing /

dusting), inhalants, conditions of the body (cherry red due to chemically replacing the bloods oxygen –
similar to carbon monoxide), etc. There may be vomit or other aspirated stomach contents, from
reaction or dehydration.

At autopsy or other physical examination may be found hidden intravenous ‘track’ marks, teeth
grinding or decay and missing, gastrointestinal bleeding which may appear to be an external injury –

homicide or suicide, a cone of foam from opioid overdose – which disappears on scene quickly,
positional asphyxia due to intoxication, and death during a drug induced state by another – homicide.

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