Pediatric Homicide: Medical Investigation

Pediatric homicide investigations are clouded by a number of factors, not the least of which is a lack of straightforward resources. The cause of death in infants and children is often subtle and difficult to establish. Designed for quick access, Pediatric Homicide: Medical Investigation provides an invaluable resource for medical examiners, police, child abuse investigators, and attorneys charged with either making or ruling out the diagnosis of homicide.

Focusing on forensic pathology aspects, this book covers the causes of death which are most difficult to determine, including:



head injury
asphyxiation
drowning
abdominal trauma
poisoning
starvation and dehydration
With contributions by a team of expert pathologists, the book provides a scientific foundation for diagnosing homicide, discusses methods to determine the timing of injuries and death, and reviews the legal requirements for presenting evidence in court. More than 100 photographs enhance the text and clarify the source of injury in these difficult cases.

Dr. Karen Griest is the editor and a major contributor to The Pediatric Trauma and Forensic Newsletter, established in 1993. She has taught forensic medical investigation to police officers, criminal investigators, medical personnel, attorneys, and forensic professionals. She has also consulted on hundreds of child injury and death cases and has testified in state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Intentional Head Injury in Infants and Young Children, Helen Whitwell
Introduction
Investigation of Suspected Pediatric Non-Accidental Injury Cases
Autopsy Examination
Skull and Spinal Fractures
Neuropathology of Inflicted Head Injury
Problem Areas
Neonaticide, Kim A. Collins
Definitions
Victim and Perpetrator
Cause of Death
Scene Investigation
Concealment and Denial of Pregnancy and Birth
Stillborn versus Liveborn
Placenta and Umbilical Cord
Ancillary Studies
Blunt Force Trauma
Intentional Suffocation in Infants and Young Children, Karen J. Griest
Definitions
Intentional Strangulation in Infants and Young Children
Intentional Smothering, Choking, and Compression Asphyxia in Infants and Young Children
Distinction of Intentional from Accidental Strangulation, Suffocation, and Compression Asphyxia
Autopsy Protocol in Childhood Suffocation Cases
Inflicted Fatal Thoracic and Abdominal Injuries in Infants and Young Children, Karen J. Griest
Inflicted Fatal Thoracic Injuries in Infants and Young Children
Inflicted Abdominal Injuries in Infants and Young Children
Child Abuse by Drowning, Karen J. Griest
Introduction
Overview of Drowning in Infants and Young Children
Overview of Bathtub Drowning in Young Children
Pathophysiology of Drowning
Clinical Aspects of Drowning
Child Abuse by Drowning
The Investigation in Drowning
Supporting Evidence in Physical Child Abuse, Karen J. Griest
Introduction
Cutaneous Injuries in Children
Alopecia and Scalp Hemorrhages in Child Abuse
Bite Marks in Child Abuse
Orofacial Trauma in Child Abuse
Burns in Child Abuse
Skeletal Injury in Child Abuse
Intentional Starvation/Malnutrition and Dehydration in Children, Kim A. Collins
Lethal Neglect
The Victim
The Investigation
The Postmortem Examination
Ancillary Studies
Secondary Infections
Mimickers
Proving Pediatric Poisoning in the Courtroom, Steven B. Karch
Introduction
Genetic Diseases
The Courts and the Scientific Method
Problem Poisonings
References
Timing of Death and Injuries in Infants and
Young Children, Karen J. Griest
Determination of Time of Death
Wound Age Estimation
Index