Introduction
Determining how an individual died is an important attribute for both the individual’s family and authorities. In determining how an individual died, there are four different classifications: natural death, accidental death, suicide, and homicide. Death investigations are often complex, and explore both individualistic and environmental factors present at the scene (Fish, Miller & Braswell, 2013). In examining these factors, authorities can make an informed decision as to how the individual died and if further action is needed.
Article Summary
In a 2011 article, DeJong, Pizarro & McGarell explored situational and structural factors surrounding homicides that involved and did not involve domestic abuse. In exploring how these two types of homicides varied, DeJong et. al. (2011) concluded that victims of domestic abuse tended to more often be females, and older. However, other types of homicides tended to involve younger victims. The researchers also acknowledge that previous claims of abuse or police visits to the home are also strong indicators of a homicide involving domestic violence.
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In further comparing the two types of homicides, DeJong (2012) found that homicides involving domestic abuse tended to occur in various neighborhoods. In contrast, homicides that did not involve domestic abuse were more likely to occur in low socio-economic areas. Furthermore, homicides not involving intimate partner violence were more likely to have used a weapon. However, the researchers did find that women committing homicide, tended to use weapons. In addition, women committing homicides were more likely to be motivated by intimate partner violence.
This research made some important distinctions that can help investigators determine if a homicide has occurred and if there are any environmental factors surrounding it. Individuals involved in relationships that fall prey to domestic abuse are more likely to not have a weapon when committing acts of homicide. Women as a whole were significantly more likely to murder individuals they know personally. In relating these findings back to homicide investigations, these factors can help investigators investigate a motive for the murder. Furthermore, these factors can help investigators to form a preliminary perception in whether or not they believe a murder has occurred.
Fundamental Differences in Types of Death
The fundamental differences in the cause of death help investigators to determine how the individual died. Natural death is generally characterized as being influenced by aging or disease. In an accidental death, “there is little or no evidence that the injury or poisoning occurred with the intent to harm of cause death” (Harris County Institute of Forensic Services, 2014, para. 6). In contrast, a suicide, the individual’s main intent was to end his or her life. Finally a homicide, when an individual means to hurt or end an individual’s life. It should be further noted that intent to cause death is a common element but is not required for classification as a homicide” (Harris County Institute of Forensic Services, 2014, para. 8).
The condition of the body helps investigators determine how the individual died. Roth (2009) expands on this in noting, “homicides of adults are usually easy to distinguish from natural deaths, accidental deaths and suicides” (p. 3). In expanding on this Roth further notes that homicides generally indicate signs of a struggle, defensive wounds or some other type of indicator that would suggest that the individual did not cause his or her own death. However, others disagree with Roth’s assumptions that homicide is easy to identify. The University of Chicago (2012) further expands on this in noting, “about 20 percent of people die in suspicious circumstances, meaning out of the place and time” (para. 8). Yet, suspicious circumstances do not always constitute homicide. Instead, it may later be determine that the individual had an underlying medical condition that was not diagnosed. Therefore, it is important that an autopsy be performed in order to determine how the individual died.
An autopsy allows authorities to determine how the individual died. This investigation consists of a physical examination and testing tissues and body fluids. This allows investigators to determine if the individual had a substance in his or her blood that would have contributed to his or her demise. For example, an individual that was not known to use drugs is found to have died of an overdose of hydrocodone. The lack of symptoms and history the individual exhibit prior to his death would make this death initially look suspicious. However, after reviewing the toxicology, a death investigator can determine what substances may have contributed to the individual’s death (Fish et. al., 2013).
Environmental Factors
The conditions present at the scene where the body was found is another important indicator as to how the individual died. For example, some individuals that commit suicide leave notes. However, it is important to analyze these notes to ensure that they were actually written by the person, rather than falsified by another individual attempting to cover up a crime (Fish et. al., 2013). The physical evidence at the scene is further useful in determining a preliminary cause of death. In some situations, it may appear as though a struggle took place. These situations may lead investigators to believe that someone else committed the act.
The physical conditions at the scene are also important in determining if an accident as occurred. However, it is important to further determine that the individual’s death was indeed an accident and not a homicide that was staged to look like an accident (Fish et. al., 2013). For example, investigators may initially believe that a woman fell down the stairs. Yet upon further investigation the autopsy reveals that the woman deceased at the time of the accident. This indication would demonstrate that a homicide did occur.
Conclusion
Determining the cause of an individual’s death is an important process for both investigators and the individual’s family. However, deciding on a cause of death is an in-depth process that involves the physical condition of the body, toxicology reports and environmental factors found at the scene of the individual’s death. Through exploring these elements, investigators can make a determination as to how the individual died.
- Cause & Manner of Death (2014) Harris County Institute of Forensic Services. Retrieved August 15, 2014 from: http://www.harriscountytx.gov/ifs/cause.aspx
- DeJohn C., Pizarro J.M., Mcgarrell E., (2011) Can Situation and Structural Factors Differentiate Between Intimate Partner and Other Homicides? Journal of Family Violence 26 (5) 365-375.
- Fish J.T., Miller L.S., Braswell M.C. (2013) Crime Scene Investigators. New Jersey: McGraw & Hill.
- Postmortem (2013) University of Chicago. Retrieved August 15, 2014 from: http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/803988.html
- Roth R. (2009) Distinguishing Homicide from Natural Deaths, Accidental Deaths, Suicides and Feigned Deaths. Retrieved August 15, 2014 from: http://cjrc.osu.edu/sites/cjrc.osu.edu/files/AHSV-Distinguishing-Homicides-from-Natural-Deaths.pdf
