Forensics Talk

The Body Farm: Unique Forensic Research Facility

  NEWS VOA COM

Mike Osborne                                                                            
Knoxville, Tenn
13 May 2008

        TV dramas that follow detectives as they investigate a crime have long been a staple of American television. But in recent years, these shows have taken a decidedly graphic turn, focusing on the forensic teams that examine the victim's body and look for evidence that can help investigators bring the killers to justice.

     While autopsies, blood spatter analysis and DNA research apparently make for entertaining television, Mike Osborne discovered that real forensic science is far less glamorous.

     It's a beautiful spring day in East Tennessee. The trees are just putting on leaves and every shrub and wildflower is in full bloom. But as you enter one of the most unusual research facilities in the world, even the sweetest smelling blossoms can't mask the stench of rotting flesh.                                                 

This is the Anthropological Research Facility at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, a facility more commonly referred to as The Body Farm.... Read More

Ligature Strangulation: Not Very Common But Contested Too Often.

Crime & Clues

The Art and Science of Criminal Investigation

The following article is presented in both the Posts & Pages sections:

One finding. Many conclusions

Abstract:

This paper discusses the difficulties in differentiating ligature strangulation from hanging during life and also after death.

   The cases shown are those cases of hanging, which appeared and were considered to be that of ligature strangulation or that of Post Mortem hanging till few weeks after the autopsy.

   These controversial homicides turned out to have been suicidal deaths due to hanging. The cases highlight the difficulty in differentiating hanging during life or immediately after death.

   The controversies in hanging are relevant because hanging being presented, as ligature strangulation and ligature strangulation being contested as hanging are not rare.

   The paper also discusses the possibility of mistaking ligature strangulation for hanging during life...

Read Full Abstract

Girls' Suicide Rates Rise Dramatically

CBS News
ATLANTA, Sept. 6, 2007

                CDC Advises Prevention Programs To Focus On Gender And Age Groups Most At Risk

    (AP) The suicide rate among preteen and young teen girls spiked 76 percent, a disturbing sign that federal health officials say they can't fully explain.

For all young people between ages 10 to 24, the suicide rate rose 8 percent from 2003 to 2004 - the biggest single-year bump in 15 years - in what one official called "a dramatic and huge increase."

The report, based on the latest numbers available, was released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and suggests a troubling reversal in recent trends. Suicide rates had fallen by 28.5 percent since 1990 among young people... Read More

Dialysis Deaths Prompt Warning

24 patients in Md. died from bleeding; precautions urged

By Jonathan Bor

sun reporter

Originally published January 25, 2007

     The Maryland medical examiner's office has called attention to the cases of 24 kidney dialysis patients who bled to death, usually at home alone, prompting health agencies to alert dialysis centers and patients to take precautions.

Dr. David Fowler, the state's chief medical examiner, said the cases of 22 people who died at home and two others who died at dialysis centers since 2000 came to light after he noticed a cluster and asked his staff to review records. A regional coalition of kidney programs said it is aware of 38 deaths over the six-year period.
Full Article

Missing Toddler’s Body Found in Septic Tank

From MSNBC

Updated: 7:36 p.m. ET Jan 27, 2007

   Remains of 3-year-old missing since Wednesday discovered near his home

    

KALISPELL, Mont. - The body of a 3-year-old boy was found in a septic tank less than 10 feet from the house where he was reported missing, Flathead County Sheriff Mike Meehan said Saturday.

The body of Loic J.M. Rogers was found late Friday, and an autopsy showed that he drowned, Meehan said.

It was unclear how the boy got into the septic tank, and the manhole-sized lid was closed. Meehan said investigators do not believe he could have climbed into the tank and put the lid back on himself, but declined to speculate how Loic may have gotten inside. An investigation is continuing.

Full Article

Hospital Liable For Covering Up Child's Injury

By Dick Dahl Staff writer

© 2007, Lawyers USA

       An Oklahoma jury ordered a university hospital to pay $18 million to parents who were investigated for abusing their 9-month-old son after a CAT-scan showed the boy had a fractured skull.

The injuries had actually occurred when a nurse at the hospital accidentally bumped the infant's head on a nightstand, but she failed to report the incident and the parents became the prime suspects.

Although this suit was filed as a straight medical negligence case, the last-minute evidence of the hospital's alleged cover-up prompted a $9 million punitive damage award, according to the plaintiffs' attorney, Gerald Durbin.

  The Accident:
Full Article