The manual is intended for use by police investigators, medical examiners, and others involved in investigating deaths. The text provides details about sudden natural deaths by disease and accidents and about deaths by firearms, knives, and other trauma. Individual sections explain the steps involved in a death scene investigation, the signs of sudden death and disease, the methods of obtaining a medical history, the analysis of traumatic deaths, the determination of the time of death, and the identification of the deceased person. Other sections cover evidence collection; the signs of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and treatment; the autopsy; the other experts who may be needed; and the determination of the cause, mechanism, and manner of death. Appended glossary of medical terminology, list of prescription drugs, and 45 photographs of persons who died from various causes