ABSTRACT

The records of crime scene investigations and forensic exami-nation of the body are essential in cases in which the body is sent to another center for autopsy. Serious problems happen Trakya Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Adli Tıp Anabilim Dalı Geliş tarihi: 04.04.2011 Kabul tarihi: 21.10.2011 due to the missing and/or erroneous reports. Relatives of the victim should attend the procedure in case the physician perfor-ming the autopsy needs additional information regarding the medical history and the event. In the presented case, no information regarding the victim’s suffering of a trauma was observed in the crime scene and forensic examination reports of the public prosecutor as well as the general practician. In the center which the body was sent for autopsy, a history was taken from the relatives of the vic-tim concerning the victim’s being in a row a couple days ago. After the autopsy, the death reason was reported as peritonitis due to bowel perforation and further investigation concerning the leading factor would also be reported. The supplementary report indicated the leading cause of bowel perforation as trau-ma. The accurate information before the autopsy is emphasized in order to interpret the case and reach to the exact diagnosis. Autopsy is just a section of the investigation of death in legal terms. Circumstances of the period before death, crime scene, medical and social history of the victim is important to clarify any question afterwards.

Keywords: Crime scene investigation, autopsy, medical history