3. The Marks and Spots upon the Body and Clothing. These may be examined by the coroner and jury, but a medical witness will be more competent to draw conclusions from them, should the suspicious nature of the death render the production of such testimony proper. The body should be inspected for swellings, coloured spots, tattoo marks, wounds, ulcers, contusions, fractures or luxations, and any fluid flowing from the nose, mouth, ears, sexual organs, etc., should be carefully noted. Tattoo marks rarely become obliterated, and when they do, only after at least ten years. They can be artificially obliterated, but the means adopted will leave scars, as actual destruction of the skin must be effected.1 Before making this examination of the body, the clothes should be looked at, and mud or bloodstains thereon noticed. Also, any cuts or rents, their size, shape and direction, and whether they correspond with cuts or marks on the body. And, as the clothes are removed, notice what compresses or bandages, if any, are applied to particular parts. The effects of lightening may simulate those of violence, and lead to a suspicion of foul play.a Putrefaction often sets in very rapidly after death from lightening.3 The existence of goose-skin or cutis anserina proves that a body found in water was thrown into 1 Tidy, Vol. I. p. 167. the water when the skin possessed the power of contractility.1 The features should be carefully scrutinized, since the cause of death has much to do with the features after death, but the countenance may alter rapidly after life ceases. It is said the features indicate repose after death by sword wounds, and pain after death by the bullet." The natural warmth of the body usually disappears, in from fifteen to twenty hours, and Prof. Tidy states that the rapid cooling of a body after death may suggest the cause of death, but that no conclusion can be drawn from the slow cooling of a body.3 It is considered a general rule that if the muscles are flexible and contract under the influence of the interrupted current, the (experiment being conducted by preference on the trunk muscles, or the flexor muscles of the limbs) death probably occurred within three hours, but most certainly within twenty-four hours of the time of the experiment.* Rigor mortis lasts as a rule until putrefaction commences. It sets in usually in three or four hours after death, and is complete about the fifth or sixth hour; but the period may be greatly extended or greatly shortened. In muscular and well-developed subjects, and death is sudden without previous fatigue or weakening by pain or disease, it may be delayed for twelve or even more hours. Exposure of the body to cold delays its appearance, but there is no well-authenticated case where it has been delayed beyond twentyfour hours. On the other hand, rigor mortis may appear very soon. It has been known to commence within five minutes of death, and while the body was warm and the heart still beating. In cases of sudden death, after muscular exhaustion it has set in instantaneously, causing the body to retain the attitude it was in when death occurred. This has also occurred in deaths from apoplexy and drowning. Where the person has been exhausted by suffering, rigor mortis may appear immediately at death.1 Rigor Mortis has lasted so short a time as to be reported as not occurring at all, and in special cases it has continued for several weeks. Stillborn children may exhibit well marked rigidity." It would be impossible to mention all the things to be noticed when examining the body and clothes. Indeed, little more can be done than suggest the sort of inquiries which should be made. Each case will present its own peculiar features, which the medical man must observe in such manner as his own judgment and foresight may prompt him. He should not, however, confine himself to mere inspection of what actually presents itself to his eyes. He should search for objects which are not obvious at the first glance, and conduct his search with great caution, if not scepticism, always 1 Tidy, Vol. I. pp. 51, 55. 2 Tidy, Vol. I. p. 59. remembering that hasty conclusions or thoughtless omissions may both endanger his own reputation and the lives of his fellow creatures. 4. The Surrounding Objects.-After concluding the examination of the body and clothes, the surrounding objects next demand attention. Ascertain the direction of footsteps near the body, and search for marks, etc., on the objects around. If blood is found, note whether it apparently fell with force, and in what direction; whether it is venous or arterial, fresh or old, etc. If the death has been a violent one, search for the instrument, and if found, see that its identity is preserved. Note the presence or absence of blood, hairs, etc., on it, its form considered in connection with the character of the wounds. The hand in which it is found; its position in the hand, viewed in relation to the direction of the wounds. In cases of suspected poisoning every vessel in which food has recently been prepared should be examined, and the contents reserved for analysis. The number, size, and shape of stains should be noted, and whether they are of the nature of spots or smears. Also their exact position; and if on a fabric, the side on which they occur.2 The surrounding objects cannot be too carefully noticed, as the following case will illustrate :The perpetrators of the murder, in 1751, of Mr. Jeffries, by his niece and a servant, were discovered from the dew on the grass surrounding the house 1 Tidy, Vol. I. pp. 57, 58. 2 Tidy, Vol. I. p. 184. B. C.-16 not having been disturbed on the morning of the murder. This led to the suspicion that the murderer was a domestic, and had not left the premises. In cases of suicide by hanging, the drop is seldom considerable.1 5. The Bearing and Conduct of the Parties in Attendance.-Crime is rarely self-possessed; and when most on his guard, the culprit is apt to betray himself by an excess of caution, or by numerous and improbable suggestions as to the cause of death. An intelligent observation of the surrounding persons, then, may sometimes be of use. SEC. 8.-CONTINUING AND ADJOURNING THE COURT. The body having been viewed, it may be removed, if necessary or proper, to some convenient place, and the coroner and jury proceed with the inquiry. They need not sit in the same room with the body, nor at the place where it was found, nor where it was viewed.2 The coroner first calls over the names of the jury, to see they are all present; and having ascertained they are satisfied with the view, he then adds to his former charge any observations suggested by viewing the body, and informs them briefly of the object of their inquiry-viz., the cause of death, adding: 1 Tidy, Vol. III. p. 243. 2 Jervis O. C. 323. |