medicine

I read this book a couple of years ago for a short course at the University of New Orleans, and loved it. I keep it on my shelf for reference now, but will likely use it again soon when I go off to graduate school. The sections are very well-written, and can be understood by most anyone who has had at least some experience in this field. The case studies were paricularly relavant, and it would be nice to see more of that in further editions. Also, there are excellent descriptions and illustrations of gunshot and other homocide-related deaths - however, not as much information on accidental death or taphonomy as I would have liked.

"MEDICOLEGAL INVESTIGATION OF DEATH" 1993 Revised & Updated 3rd Edition - known as the "bible" of forensic pathology to pathologists around the world, has withstood the test of time. Totally rewritten and updated throughout, the text is oriented to forensic pathologists, criminal investigators, and attorneys. 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; Time of Death and Changes After Death; Identification of Human Remains; Forensic Odontology Sudden and Unexpected Death From Natural Causes in Adults; Trauma and Disease; Blunt Force Injury; Sharp Force Injury; Injury by Gunfire; Thermal Injury; Asphyxia; Drowning; Electrical and Lightning Injuries; the Road Traffic Victim; Medicolegal Investigation of Mass Disasters; Mechanical Injuries of Brain and Meninges; Microscopic Forensic Pathology; Deaths in Childhood; Investigation of Deaths from Drug Abuse; Forensic Aspects of Alcohol; Selected Procedures at Autopsy; and the Medicolegal Autopsy Report. The book continues to use a simple and practical approach in keeping with the tradition established by the previous editions. It avoids technical terminology, where possible, in compliance with the aim of addressing not only physicians but all parties with an interest in the study of injury patterns and the practice of pathology as it relates to the law. A large amount of new information and abundant material not previously covered are included in this volume. The many new illustrations, diagrams and sketches showing patterns and mechanisms of injury as well as an inclusive index render this book unique.

I just wanted to say that I wish they would publish a new updated
book.