READ: The Medical Examiner

Documenting the Body at the Scene

Before a body is moved from a crime scene, initial observations and photographs should be taken. Investigators at the scene should photograph any injuries or blood stains that are visible.They should look for obvious injuries such as bruising, cuts, or gunshot wounds. Evidence of blunt force trauma should be recorded. Blunt force injury happens when the individual has been hit with an object that is not sharp. Sharp force trauma is when the individual has been attacked with sharp objects.  The investigators should make note of livor, rigor, and algor mortis. They should make sure they document the position of the body in the scene and take any necessary photographs. Once the body has been documented and all needed information is gather from it, the body can be removed and sent to the medical examiner’s office where an autopsy can be performed.