CASE II.
THE PATIENT IS DEAD.—THE ATTENDANTS CAN FURNISH ONLY AN IMPERFECT ACCOUNT OF HIS DISSOLUTION.
Examination of the attendants.—Circumstances to be
investigated.—How soon the deceased is supposed
to have died, after the alleged cause of his dissolution.—Had
the deceased been under the influen
of violent passion.—Was he at the time of death in
state of intoxication.—Plan of the inquiry to be
adopted according to the principles already explained
in Case 1, in combination with those to be developed
in the following still more complicated one.
CASE III.
THE BODY IS FOUND DEAD—ITS HISTORY IS UNKNOWN.
Plan to be adopted in the investigation of this case.—Four
great avenues of inquiry, viz. 1. Inspection of the dead body; 2. Examination of surrounding and collateral objects; 3. Interrogation of witnesses; 4. Anatomical Dissection. 1. Inspection of the dead Body.
Situation and attitude of the body.—General appearance
of the countenance, as to colour, vascular
turgescence, or congestion, and morbid physiognomy.—Appearance
of the eyes, and eye-lids, lips,
and gums.—Whether any, and what discharge issues
from the mouth, nostrils, ears, or any other orifice.—Apparent
age of the deceased.—Description of
his person as to bulk, stature, obesity, muscular
powers, &c.—Conformation of the neck, with respect
to its shortness, fullness, and thickness.—Probable
period that has elapsed since the extinction of
life.—State of the body, in relation to the degree of
stiffness, or flexibility of its limbs, progress of putrescence,
&c.—Whether any, and what marks, or
ecchymoses are visible upon the throat, or under the
