THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS OF INVESTIGATION ARE EXAMINED: NATURE OF SUSPICIOUS DEATHS; CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION; MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES FOR A FORENSIC INVESTIGATION; FORENSIC INVESTIGATION CASE STUDIES OF NONVIOLENT AND VIOLENT DEATHS; ESTABLISHING TIME OF DEATH; AND GENERAL RULES FOR FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS. APPLICATION OF THE RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES WILL ELIMINATE THE MOST COMMON PITFALLS ENCOUNTERED BY PATHOLOGISTS INEXPERIENCED IN MEDICAL-LEGAL INVESTIGATIONS, PARTICULARLY WHEN SUCH INVESTIGATIONS ARE COORDINATED WITH THE ACTIVITIES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. FORMS WHICH MAY BE OF HELP IN PROCESSING THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION, THE SCENE EXAMINATION, AND BODY REMOVAL ARE APPENDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).