Death Investigation: The Basics

"Death Investigation: The Basics" by Brad Randall, MD: ISBN 1-883620-24-4 (1997) Galen Press, Ltd. is one of those books, much too rare (particularly in the field of forensics), that is so well written that it deserves recognition as a notable reference for understanding the basic tasks facing all Medical Examiners.This book contains 9 chapters (130 pages) devoted to duties of Death/Medical (coroner) Investigators/Examiners (DIs/MEs), deaths subject to investigation, scene investigation, identification of bodies, time of death, public relations (excellent), autopsies, certificates of death, and in-depth review of SIDs by DIs. The chapter on scene investigation (45 pages) is notably well presented, written in non-pretentious prose and packed full of that type of information which could only exude from someone with first-hand field experience who also has teaching experience. Additional pages (38) are devoted to the bibliography, index, and various appendices of charts & forms. There are 35 B/W photos or diagrams which were well chosen and integral to the text.Emphasis is given to applying common sense and weighing of various possibilities, that when embellished with some concise case presentations, attests to the shrewdness and prudence demonstrated by this author. With these thoughts in mind, then those advanced detailed technical syllabi and reference manuals devoted to forensic subspecialities may have better want of prejudice. The price is right.