Spitz and Fisher's Medicolegal Investigation of Death: Guidelines for the Application of Pathology to Crime Investigation

Werner U. Spitz · Daniel J. Spitz · Russell S. Fisher

Jan 2006 · Charles C Thomas Publisher

About this ebook

MEDICOLEGAL INVESTIGATION OF DEATH, known as the "bible" of forensic pathology, is now in its thirty-third year of publication. This book has been completely rewritten, updated, expanded and improved. It embraces all aspects of the pathology of trauma as it is witnessed daily by law enforcement officers, interpreted by pathologists of varying experience and expertise in forensic pathology, and used by lawyers involved in the prosecution and defense in criminal cases as well as those engaged in civil litigation. This authoritative and complete textbook is written by some of the most respected experts in the United States. The table of contents reads as follows: History of Forensic Pathology and Related Laboratory Sciences; Crime Scene; Time of Death and Changes After Death; Identification of Human Remains; Anthropology; Forensic Odontology; Sudden and Unexpected Death from Natural Causes in Adults; Investigation of Deaths in Childhood; Trauma and Disease; Blunt Force Injury; Sharp Force Injury; Injury by Gunfire; Thermal Injuries; Asphyxia; Investigation of Bodies in Water; Electrical and Lightning Injuries; The Road Traffic Victim; Medicolegal Investigation of Mass Disasters; Trauma of the Nervous System; Microscopic Forensic Pathology; Forensic Aspect of Radiology; Investigation of Deaths from Drug Abuse; Forensic Aspects of Alcohol; The Medicolegal Autopsy Report; and Selected Procedures at Autopsy. Multiple new chapters on trace evidence, the crime scene, exhumation, forensic anthropology, radiology, DNA and photography by nationally and internationally renowned experts have been added to make this revised edition an all-encompassing state-of-the-art text for anyone interested in studying mechanisms of injuries and the wider spectrum of the forensic sciences. With over 1,400 photographic illustrations and diagrams in this clear and comprehensive text, this atlas leaves little to the imagination. The continued use of simple, non-technical terminology makes this book a truly unique treatise and source of information. 

Ratings and reviews

I own both the third and fourth print editions. The usefulness of the print editions is enhanced by the numerous figures in each chapter. The sample of the digital fourth edition was missing a great number of the figures. The consumers are being subjected to a battle between those who own the rights to the physical print editions and those who own the digital rights. If the sample of the digital edition is indicative of the purchased digital edition, then the digital edition is woefully deficient!!! I purchased the digital edition in anticipation of being able to have an epub version. To my dismay, however, no epub version is available.

I totally agree with Lemuel, having the book for home use and the digital version for at work...the digital lacks a great deal. The inability to change font, highlight, make notes and the such questions the expense for the digital version. The book will forever be one of, if not the best, source for information for MDI's, however not having the ability to view tables and pictures causes a great deal of frustration