The introduction discusses the history of forensic pathology, the roles of the experts encountered in death investigations, the nature of the investigation and autopsy, and the steps to be followed by the death scene investigator. Additional sections explain techniques for determining the cause, manner, mechanism, and time of death and for identifying the deceased person. Further sections focus on factors and pathology findings related to sudden natural death and death by firearms, cutting and stabbing, drugs and alcohol, asphyxia and drowning, electrical and thermal factors, exposure to extreme temperatures, blunt trauma, and blunt head trauma, as well as deaths of children. Other sections focus on forensic DNA testing, commonly asked questions about forensic pathology, case examples, and suggestions for testimony. Figures and appended glossary, photographs, and index