OBJECTIVES

< < < < < < < < < < < < < Identify specific measures by which trace evidence can be preserved for medicolegal investigation. < Analyze the legal ramifications of incorrect determination of cause of death. < Define chain of custody and identify common breaks in the chain. < Discuss the importance of certain specimens from a medicolegal perspective. < Outline common pitfalls in the examination, interpretation and documentation of traumatic injuries. < Identify ways to avoid common mistakes when photographing patients for medicolegal purposes. < Describe ways to ensure effectiveness and credibility in the role of expert witness during medicolegal testimony. < Discuss the evidence used to differentiate the cause of death by asphyxia in cases of the following: smothering, choking, positional asphyxia, and auto-erotic deaths. < Define the process of biotransformation, and explain how it can result in misleading toxicology reports, resulting in a major miscarriage of justice in certain instances. < List important points that should be documented to promote correct determination of cause of death in cases of suspected sudden infant death syndrome. < Identify clinical findings and important points for documentation in determining whether a person was dead or alive at the time of a fire, a matter of tremendous medicolegal and insurance significance.<