SPECIALIZED CRIME INVESTIGATION I
WITH LEGAL MEDICINE
Special Crime Investigation
■ Deals with the study of major crimes based
on the application of special investigative
techniques.
■ It is also the study concentrates more on
physical evidence; its collection, handling,
identification and preservation in
coordination with the various criminalists in
the crime laboratory
■ Special crime investigation focuses on
specific crimes which by their nature are
difficult and complex to investigate
LEGAL MEDICINE
 a branch of medicine dealing with the
application of medical knowledge for legal
purposes. The application of medicine to
legal cases.
Medical Jurist/ Medical Examiner/ Medico-
Legal Officer/ Medico- Legal Expert
 A physician who specializes or is
involved primarily with medico- legal
duties. To be involved in medico- legal
duties, a physician must possess
sufficient knowledge of pathology,
anthropology, toxicology and such other
branches of medicine germane to the issues
involved.
Ordinary Physician vs Medical Jurists
ORDINARY PHYSICIAN
 The purpose is to arrive at a definite
diagnosis so that appropriate treatment can
be instituted.
 Minor or trivial injuries are usually
ignored
MEDICAL JURISTS
 The purpose is to include bodily lesions in
his reports and testify before the court or
before an investigative body, thus
giving justice to whom it is due.
 Must record all bodily injuries even if they
are small or minor, because these injuries
may be proofs to qualify the crime or to
justify the act.
A. HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
It is the official inquiry made by the police
on the facts and circumstances surrounding the
death of the person which is expected to be
criminal or unlawful
Homicide Investigation has three bridges which
shall not be crossed; otherwise it will compromise
the investigation and these are the following; (MEC
RULE)
• The first bridge is the body has been
moved.
• The second bridge is when the cadaver has
been embalmed.
• The third bridge is when the dead person
is burned or cremated.
Responsibilities of a Homicide Investigator:
1. When called upon to investigate violent
death, he stands on the dead man’s shoes to
produce his instincts against those suspects.
2. The enthusiasm and intelligence the
investigator brings in the case marks the
difference between a murderer being
convicted and set free.
3. If he interprets a criminal death as accidental
or natural, a guilty person is set free.
4. Remember that the police is the first line of
defense in the effective application of
criminal justice.
The following officials of the government are
authorized to make death investigation:
1) The Provincial and City Fiscals.
2) Judge of the Courts of the First Instance
( now Regional Trial Courts )
3) Justice of the Peace ( now Municipal Trial
Court )
4) The Director of the National Bureau of
Investigation – Rep. Act. 157 ( An act
creating the National Bureau of
Investigation )
5) The Chief of Police of the City Stations
6) Solicitor General
A.TITLE EIGHT: CRIMES AGAINST
PERSON (Destruction of Life)
ARTICLE 246 - PARRICIDE
Parricide is committed when:
a. A person is killed
b. The deceased is killed by the accused
c. The deceased is the father, mother, or
child, whether legitimate or illegitimate; a
legitimate other ascendant or descendant;
or legitimate spouse of the accused.
(People v. Malabago, G.R. No. 115686,
December 2, 1992)
Parricide is based on the relationship of the
offender and the offended party. The
relationship must be: (LDB)
• Legitimate except in case of parent and
child where relationship may either be
legitimate or illegitimate.
• In the Direct line or between ascendants and
descendants. There is no parricide in the
killing of brothers and sisters because the
relationship is collateral.
• By Blood except for spouse. Thus, there is
no parricide in the killing between adopter
and adopted, or between step-parent and step
child because the relationship is not by
blood.
NOTE:
A. The child should not be less than 3 days old.
Otherwise, the offense is infanticide
* That the mother killed her child in order to
conceal her dishonor is not mitigating. This
is immaterial to the crime of parricide,
unlike in the case of infanticide. If the child
is less than three days old when killed, the
crime is infanticide and intent to conceal her
dishonor is considered mitigating.
B. Relationship must be alleged.
* In killing a spouse, there must be a valid
subsisting marriage at the time of the killing.
Also, the information should allege the fact
of such valid marriage between the accused
and the victim.
* In a ruling by the Supreme Court, it was
held that if the information did not allege
that the accused was legally married to the
victim, he could not be convicted of
parricide even if the marriage was
established during the trial. In such
cases, relationship shall be appreciated as
generic aggravating circumstance.
C. A stranger who cooperates in committing
parricide is liable for murder or homicide.
* Since parricide is a crime of relationship, if a
stranger conspired in the commission of the
crime, he cannot be held liable for parricide.
His participation would make him liable for
murder or for homicide, as the case may be.
The rule of conspiracy that the act of one is
the act of all does not apply here because of
the personal relationship of the offender to
the offended party.
D. Even if the offender did not know that the
person he had killed is his son, he is still liable
for parricide because the law does not require
knowledge of the relationship.
Parents killing their Children or vise-versa
– Child/parents may be legitimate/illegitimate
Spouse killing the other spouse
– Their relationship must always be legitimate
Killing of other descendants or ascendants
– their relationship must always be legitimate
ARTICLE 247. Death or Physical Injuries
Inflicted under Exceptional Circumstances
A legally married person or parent surprises
his spouse or daughter (the latter must be under 18
and living with them) in the act of committing
sexual intercourse with another person
He/she kills any or both of them or inflicts
upon any or both of them any serious physical
injury in the act or immediately thereafter.
Note:
1. Article does not define or penalize a felony.
2. Not necessary that the parent be legitimate
3. Article applies only when the daughter is
single
* If the offender surprised a couple in sexual
intercourse, and believing the woman to be his wife,
killed them, this article may be applied if the
mistake of facts is proved.
4. Sexual intercourse does not include
preparatory acts
5. IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER: means
that the discovery, escape, pursuit and the
killing must all form parts of one continuous
act.
6. No criminal liability is incurred when less
serious or slight physical injuries are
inflicted. The principle that one is liable
for the consequences of his felonious act is
not applicable because he is not committing
a felony
* A person who acts under Article 247 is not
committing a crime. Since this is merely an
exempting circumstance, the accused must first
be charged with:
(1) Parricide – if the spouse is killed;
(2) Murder or homicide – depending on how the
killing was done insofar as the paramour or
the mistress is concerned;
(3) Homicide – through simple negligence,
if a third party is killed;
(4) Physical injuries – through reckless
imprudence, if a third party is injured.
ARTICLE 248 – MURDER
Murder is the killing of another attended by a
qualifying circumstances
A.) That the killing was attended by any of the
following qualifying circumstances
1. With treachery, taking advantage of
superior strength, with the aid of armed
men, or employing means to weaken the
defense or of means or persons to insure
or afford impunity
There is treachery when the offender
commits any of the crimes against the
person employing means, methods or forms
in the execution thereof that tend directly
and especially to insure its execution
without risk to himself arising from the
defense which the offended party might
make
• * Killing a person with treachery is murder
even if there is no intent to kill. (People vs.
Cagoco, 58 Phil. 530)
 • If the offender may have not intended to kill
the victim but he only wanted to commit a
crime against him in the beginning, he will
still be liable for murder if in the manner of
committing the felony there was treachery
and as a consequence thereof the victim
died.
This is based on the rule that a
person committing a felony shall be liable
for the consequences thereof although
different from that which he intended.
. NOTES:
2. In consideration of price, reward or
promise
3. By means of inundation, fire, poison,
explosion, shipwreck, stranding of
vessel, derailment or assault upon a
street car or locomotive, fall of airship,
by means of motor vehicles or with the
use of any other means involving great
waste or ruin.
• The only problem insofar as the killing by
fire is concerned is whether it would be
arson, or murder.
• When a person is killed by fire, the
primordial criminal intent of the offender is
considered.
4. On occasion of any of the calamities
enumerated in the preceding paragraph,
or of an earthquake, eruption of a
volcano, destructive cyclone, epidemic or
any other public calamity.
5. With evident premeditation.
6. With cruelty, by deliberately and
inhumanely augmenting the suffering of
the victim or outraging or scoffing at his
person or corpse .
The following are holdings of the Supreme Court
with respect to the crime of murder:
• (1) Killing of a child of tender age is
murder qualified by treachery because the
weakness of the child due to his tender age
results in the absence of any danger to the
aggressor.
• (2) Evident premeditation is absorbed in
price, reward or promise, if without the
premeditation the inductor would not have
induced the other to commit the act but not
as regards the one induced.
• (3) Treachery is inherent in poison.
• (4) Where one of the accused, who were
charged with murder, was the wife of the
deceased but her relationship to the deceased
was not alleged in the information, she also
should be convicted of murder but the
relationship should be appreciated as
aggravating.
• (5) Killing of the victims hit by hand
grenade thrown at them is murder qualified
by explosion not by treachery.
Article 255. INFANTICIDE
Committed by any person who shall kill any
child less than three days of age (less than 72hours).
* When the offender is the father, mother or
legitimate ascendant, he shall suffer the
penalty prescribed for parricide. If the
offender is any other person, the penalty is
that for murder. In either case, the proper
qualification for the offense is infanticide.
* Even if the killer is the mother or the father
or the legitimate grandparents, the crime is
still Infanticide and not Parricide. The
penalty however, is that for Parricide.
Under the Article 40 of the Civil
Code, birth determines personality. A
person is considered born at the time when
the umbilical cord is cut. He then acquires a
personality separate from the mother.
But even though the umbilical cord
has been cut, Article 41 of the Civil Code
provides that if the fetus had an intra-uterine
life of less than seven months, it must
survive at least 24 hours after the umbilical
cord is cut for it to be considered born.
ARTICLE 249 – HOMICIDE
Homicide is the killing of any person which
does not constitute parricide, murder or infanticide
and is not attended by any justifying circumstance.
Elements:
1. That the person was killed;
2. That the accused killed without any
justifying circumstances;
3. That the accused had the intention to kill,
which is presumed;
4. That the killing was not attended by any of
the qualifying circumstances or murder, or
by that of the parricide or infanticide.
HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES
1. Establishing the Facts of Death
 The first essential step of the
homicide investigation is to
establish that the victim is indeed,
dead. Police officers do not have the
legal authority to pronounce death,
 only physicians/ medical doctor
can establish the fact of death.
 For this reason, the police officer
should never assume death unless
the condition of the victim’s body
demonstrates death in a totally
obvious manner.
Medico-Legal Aspects of Death
Death- It is defined as absence of life in a living
matter.
-It is the termination of life and complete
loss of vital function of the body.
MANNER OF DEATH:
• Natural Death - Natural causes of death
include heart attacks, strokes,
fatal diseases, pneumonia, sudden crib
deaths and old age.
• Accidental - Among the causes of
accidental death are falling; drowning;
unintentionally taking too many pills or
ingesting a poisonous substance;
entanglement in industrial or farm
machinery; or involvement in an
automobile, boat, train, bus or plane crash.
• Suicide - The intentional taking of one’s
own life
• Homicide - Occurs when one human being
causes the death of another human being. Is
another term for the killing of one person by
another.
Kinds of Death
1. Clinical Death or Somatic Death
• there is a complete and continuous
cessation of the vital functions of the
brain, heart, and lungs which
maintains life and health.
2. Molecular or Cellular Death
• Is the type of death characterized by
death of individual cells (one at a
time) after the somatic death.
3. Apparent Death/ State of Suspended
Animation
• A transient loss of consciousness
or temporary cessation of the vital
function of the body on account of
disease, external stimulus other
forms of influence.
NOTE:
If the person dies within 24 hours without
suffering from a recognizable cause, such death
would be called a sudden death.
Signs of Death
I. Cessation of Respiration
• Cessation of respiration in order to be
considered as a sign of death must be
continuous and persistent.
• A person can hold his breath for a period of
no longer than 3 – ½ minutes.
• Conditions wherein there is temporary
cessation of respiration:
1. Voluntary act, as in divers, swimmers-
but it cannot be longer than two minutes
Methods of Detecting Cessation of Respiration:
• Expose the chest and abdomen and observe
the movement during inspiration and
expiration.
• Examine the person with the aid of
stethoscope which is placed at the base of
the anterior aspects of the neck and hear
sound of the current of air passing through
the trachea during each phase of respiration.
• Examination with a Mirror (Nostril and
Mouth)
• Examination with a Feather or Cotton Fibers
(Nostril)
• Examination with a glass of water
• Winslow’s test
II. Cessation of Heart and Circulation
• There must be an entire and continuous
cessation of the heart action and flow of
blood in the whole vascular system.
• As a general rule, if there is no heart action
for a period of five minutes death is
regarded as certain.
Methods of Detecting the Cessation of
heart Action and circulation:
1. Palpation of the Pulse
Pulsation of the peripheral blood vessels
may be made at the region of the wrist or at
the neck.
2. Auscultation for the Heart Sound at the
Precordial Area
The rhythmic contraction and relaxation of
the heart is audible through the stethoscope.
3. Fluoroscopic Examination
 Fluoroscopic examination of the chest will
reveal the shadow of the heart in its
rhythmic contraction and relaxation.
4. By the use of Electrocardiograph
The heart beat is accompanied by the
passage of electrical charge through the
impulse conducting system of the heart
which may be recorded in an
electrocardiograph machine. This is the best
method of determining heart action but quite
impractical.
Methods of Detecting circulation:
1. Magnus’ Test- a ligature is applied around
the base of a finger with moderate tightness.
2. Opening of small Artery- in the living
blood escapes in jerk and at a distance.
3. Icard’s Test- this consists of the injection of
a solution of fluorescein subcutaneously.
Fail to produce yellowish-green
discolouration in a dead body.
4. Pressure on the Fingernails- if pressure is
applied on the fingernails intermittently,
there will be a zone of paleness at the
site of the application of pressure which
become livid on release.
5. Diaphanous Test- fingers are spread wide
and the finger webs are viewed through a
strong light.
6. Application of Heat on the skin- if heated
material is applied on the skin of a dead
man, it will not produce true blister. There
are no sign of congestion, or other vital
reactions.
7. Palpation of the radial pulse
8. Dropping of the melted wax
III. INSENSIBILITY OF THE BODY AND
LOSS OF POWER TO MOVE
After death the whole body is insensible. No
kind of stimulus is capable of letting the body have
voluntary movement. This condition must be
observed in conjunction with cessation of heart beat
and circulation and cessation of respiration.
IV. CHANGES IN A CADAVER
A. COOLING OF THE BODY
( ALGOR MORTIS OR POST MORTEM
FRIGIDITY)
• The cooling of the body after death at
approximately 1.5 degrees F/hr. under
normal conditions and assuming the body’s
temperature at death is 98.6F (37C)\
• The fall of temperature of 15 to 20 degrees
Fahrenheit is considered a certain sign of
death.
Postmortem Caloricity is the rise of
temperature of the body after death due to
rapid and early putrefactive changes or some
internal changes. It is usually observed in
the first two hours of death.
FACTORS AFFECTING RATE OF COOLING
OF THE BODY
A. Factors related with body
Factors Delaying Cooling
* Acute Pyrexial Diseases
* Sudden death in good health Obesity
* Death from asphyxia
* Death of the middle age
Factors Accelerating Cooling
* Leanness of the body Extreme age
* Long-standing or lingering illness
B. Factors related to the surroundings
Factors Delaying Cooling
* Clothing
* Small room
* Warm surrounding
Factors Accelerating Cooling
* Unclothed body
* Large room permitting the
* dissipation of heat
* Cooling more rapid in water than in air
V. Changes in the Eyes
• Loss of Corneal and light reflexes (Blinking)
• Haziness of the cornea
• Fixation of the pupil
• Flaccidity of the eyeball
• Tache noir sclerotique - After death a spot
may be found in the sclera. The spot which
may be oval or round or may be triangular
with the base towards the cornea and may
appear in the sclera a few hours after death.
SCLEROTIQUE
VI. Changes in skin
A. Change of color (Pallor Mortis)
• Loss of the elasticity of the skin
• Opacity of the skin
• Absence of reaction to injury
HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES
 2. Identifying the Cadaver
 Establishing the identity of the victim is
important, it will provide tracing clues to the
motive and identity of the perpetrator, with
the identity known, the investigator can
focus attention on the victim’s background
and establish a possible motive through such
information.
METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION
I. PRIMARY METHODS OF
IDENTIFICATION
1. Fingerprints
2. DNA Analysis/DNA Profiling
3. Dental Identification (Odontology)
II. SECONDARY METHODS OF
IDENTIFICATION
1. Through the clothings
2. Through the jewelries
3. Visual identification of relatives
4. Identification based on scars or tattoos
HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES
3. Estimating the time of Death
 It is the estimation of the time of death
where in a forensic pathologist will have to
do during the course of his autopsy
procedures.
 This fact is significant because of its
negative importance in corroborating or
disputing alibis, or in establishing the
victims movement prior to death.
AUTOPSY - Internal examination in which the
body is opened for the examination.
POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION - refers to
the external examination of the cadaver without
incision being made.
1. Physiological Time of Death - The point at
which the the deceased’s body ceased to
function
2. Estimated Time of Death - a best guess
based on available information
3. Legal Time of Death - The time at which
the body was pronounced dead.
POST-MORTEM CHANGES
1. POST MORTEM LIVIDITY
(LIVOR MORTIS or POST PORTEM
SUGGILLATION)
TYPES:
a. Hypostatic Lividity - blood is still
in fluid form inside blood vessel;
change as position of the body
changes
b. Diffusion - Coagulated inside blood
vessel; change in position will not
change its location
- It could indicate the cause of death:
A. Cherry Red to Pinkish Color - Carbon
Monoxide Poisoning/Cyanide
B. Dark Lividity - Asphyxia
C. Dark Brown - Phosphorous Poisoning
- It could help the investigator to determine the
position of the body after death.
2. POST MORTEM RIGIDITY ( RIGOR
MORTIS)
- The stiffening of the body.
- This sets from 2 to 3 hours after
death.
It may fully developed in the body after 12
hours. It may last from 18
hours to 36 hours and its disappearance is
concomitant with the onset of putrefaction.
Conditions Simulating Rigor Mortis:
1. Heat Stiffening- If the dead body is
exposed to temperature above 75° C it will
coagulate the muscle proteins and cause the
muscles rigid.
2. Cold Stiffening- The stiffening of the body
may be manifested when the body is frozen,
but exposure to warm condition will make
such stiffening disappear. The cold stiffening
is due to the solidification of fat when the
body is exposed to freezing temperature.
Cadaveric Spasm or Instantaneous Rigor
(Post-mortem spasm, cataleptic rigidity, or
instantaneous rigidity)
 This is the instantaneous rigidity of the
muscles which occurs at the moment of
death due to extreme nervous tension,
exhaustion and injury to the nervous system
or injury to the chest.
Rigor Mortis vs Cadaveric Spasm:
RIGOR MORTIS
Time of Appearance
- three to six hours after death
Muscles Involved
- all the muscles of the body whether
voluntary or involuntary
Occurrence
- A natural Phenomena which occurs after
death
Medico- Legal Significance
- approximate the time of death

CADAVERIC SPASM
Time of Appearance
- appears immediately after death
Muscles Involved
- only a certain muscle or group of muscles
and are asymmetrical
Occurrence
-may or may not appear on a person at the
time of death
Medico- Legal Significance
- nature of crime
3. COOLING OF THE BODY ( ALGOR MORTIS
OR POST MORTEM FRIGIDITY)
 The cooling of the body after death at
approximately 1.5 degrees F/hr. under normal
conditions and assuming the body’s
temperature at death is 98.6F (37C)
 The fall of temperature of 15 to 20 degrees
Fahrenheit is considered a certain sign of
death.
POST-MORTEM DECOMPOSITION
 Decomposition sequence of physiochemical
events that begins with death and ends with dissolution
of non-skeletal parts of the body. It begins with greenish
discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. The
epidermis becomes detached from the membrane and
slips off the body.
 Autolysis or autodigestive changes after death
more commonly known as self-digestion, refers to
the destruction of a cell through the action of its
own enzymes. It may also refer to the digestion of
an enzyme by another molecule of the same enzyme.
Putrefaction
• It is the breaking down of the complex
protein into simpler components associated
with the evolution of foul-smelling gases and
accompanied by the change of color of the body.
• Temperature for specific decomposition is 70 to
100 C
• Tropical countries decomposition set in 24-48hrs
after death
• Marbolization – prominence of the superficial
veins with reddish discoloration during the
process of decomposition.
Factors Affecting Rate of Putrefaction
I. Internal Factors
• Condition of the body
• Body temperature
II. External Factors
• Air and Moisture
• Condition and type of Soil
• Presence of Water
• Effect of Clothing
• Effect of Coffin
• Depth of Burial
• Mass Grave
Special forms of Putrefaction
• Mummification- a condition at which the body
fluids is removed before decomposition sets
in resulting to shrinking and preservation of the
dead body.
• Natural Mummification – the dead is
buried or exposed to a dry, hot, sandy
soil with considerable air movement.
• Artificial Mummification –when the
preservation is done with the
introduction of some chemical like
formalin, alcohol, phenol, mercury,
arsenic, and glycerin and covering the
skin with the Vaseline or plaster of
paris before decomposition sets in.
Saponification (Adipocere formation)- is the
formation of a soft, friable, and brownish- white greasy
substance in the soft fatty tissues of the body after death.
This substance is called adipocere that is formed by
hydrogenation of the body fats.
Maceration - It is a condition of the dead body, usually
the fetus, characterized by the softening and
discoloration of the tissues as well as formation of
blisters in the skin due to the action of autolytic or
proteolytic enzymes in the absence of bacteria.
AUTOPSY
• A comprehensive study of a dead body
performed by trained physician using
recognized dissection procedures and
techniques, primary to determine the true cause
of death
• Indicates that, in addition to an external
examination, the body is opened, and internal
examination is conducted.
POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION
• It refers to an external examination of a dead
body without incision being made, although
blood and other fluids may be collected for
examination.
KINDS OF AUTOPSIES
1. HOSPITAL OR NON-OFFICIAL done on a human
body with the consent of the deceased person’s relatives
for the purpose of:
• determining the cause of death
• Providing correlation of clinical diagnosis and
clinical symptoms
• determining the effectiveness of therapy
• studying the natural course of disease process
• educating students and physicians.
2. MEDICO LEGAL OR OFFICIAL an examination
performed on a dead body purpose of:
• determining the cause, manner or mode and time
of death
• recovering, identifying, and preserving
evidentiary material
• providing correlation of facts and circumstances
related to death
• providing a factual, objective medical report for
law enforcement, prosecution, and defense
agencies
• separating death due to disease from death due
to external cause for protection of the innocent.
Person authorized to conduct autopsy
1. Medico-legal officers of law enforcement
2. Medical staff of accredited hospital
3. Health officers in remote or rural areas
When Shall an Autopsy be Performed on a Dead
Body
a) Whenever required by special law
b) Upon order of a competent court, a mayor and a
provincial or city local.
c) Upon written request of police authorities.
d) Whenever the solicitor general, provincial or
city fiscal as authorized by existing law, shall
deem it necessary to disinter and take possession
of a remains for examination to determine the
cause of death.
e) Whenever the nearest kin shall in writing
the authorities concerned in order to certain the
cause of death.
Autopsy Report
It is the medical document or report stating the cause
of death of the victim.
Types of official autopsy according to results
A. Negative Autopsy
Autopsy is called a negative autopsy if after all
efforts including gross and microscopic studies
and toxicological analyses, fail to reveal a cause
of death.
B. Negligent Autopsy
An Autopsy where in no cause of death is
found on account of imprudence, negligence,
lock of skill or lack of foresight of the examiner.
CAUSE OF DEATH
This is a specific medical diagnosis denoting a disease or
injury
E.g. Strangulation, gunshot wound
PROXIMATE CAUSE OF DEATH
The initial injury that led to a sequence of events, which
caused the death
of the victim
IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF DEATH
The injury or disease that finally killed the individual
Method of Disposal of the Dead Body
• Embalming- artificial way of preserving the
body after death.
• Burial– the body must be buried within 48
hours after death (1-1 ½ meters depth of grave)
• Cremation- Is the burning of the dead body
into ashes or pulverization of the body into
ashes by the application of heat or flames.
• Disposal of the dead body to the Sea.
• Use of the Dead body for Scientific Purpose.
EXHUMATION (DESINTERRING)
• It is the raising or disinterring of the dead body
or remains from the grave.
PHYSICAL INJURY
• is an injury of the body caused by physical
agents which is the application of stimulus to the
body producing damage or injury to the tissue
• Wound- is a break or solution in the continuity
of the skin or tissues of the body.
Classification of Wound or Physical injury
A. As to Severity
• Mortal Wound
• Non-Mortal Wound
B. As to Kind Instrument used
• Blunt instrument – lacerated
• Sharp-edge instrument – incised
• Sharp-pointed instrument – punctured
• Sharp-Edge and Sharp-Pointed
• – stab
• Rough object – abrasion
LACERATED WOUNDS
• Edges are roughly cut, irregular and ill- defined
Blunt instrument is used
STAB WOUND
• Due to sharp pointed and sharp- edged
instrument. Clean cut, regular and distinct
INCISED WOUND
• (Cut/slash /slice)
• Produced by Sharp-edged instrument
• Clean cut
PUNCTURED WOUND
• Produced by Sharp-pointed instrument
• hole-like
 Barotrauma – brought about by change of
atmospheric pressure
 Normal atmospheric pressure is about 760 mm/Hg
 Shrapnel wound – brought about by chemical
explosion
C. As to the relation of the site of application of
force and injury
• Coup Injury- Injury at the site of
application.
• Contre coup- injury found opposite the site
of application.
 • Coup Contre Coup- injury both at the site
and opposite site of application.
• Locus Minoris Resistencia- Injury is found
on some area offering the least resistance to
the force applied.
• Extensive Injury- involves a great area of
the body beyond the site of the application
of force.
As to depth of wound
• Superficial wound – involves the outer layer of
the skin
• Deep wound – involves outer as well as the
inner structure of the body.
Special Type of Wounds
• Defense Wound – result of instinct self-
protection
• Patterned wound – with nature and shape of
object/instrument
• Self-inflicted wound – produced on oneself but
no intention to end life
E. Medico-legal Classification
• Mutilation – Act of looping, cutting off any part
or parts of the living body
• Slight Physical Injury (1-9 days)
• Less Serious Physical Injury (10-30days)
• Serious Physical Injury (more than 30 days) –
deformity and incapacity
• Administration of injurious substance or
beverages.
F. As to the type of the Wound
• Closed Wound: there is no break in the
continuity of the skin or mucous membrane.
• Petechiae- are minute, pinpoint,
circumscribed extravasation of blood in
the subcutaneous tissues or underneath
the mucous membrane.
• Contusion (Bruise)- Wound in the
substance of the true skin and in the
subcutaneous cellular tissues
characterized by swelling and
discoloration of tissue due to
extravasation of blood.
• Hematoma- large extraversion of
blood in a newly formed cavity
secondary to trauma characterized by
swelling, discoloration and effusion of
blood underneath the tissues
• Open Wound: There is a breach of the
continents of the skin (abrasion, stab wound,
incised wound)
• Abrasion – removal of the superficial layer of
the skin brought about by friction against a hard
object
INJURIES CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO
EXTREME TEMPEATURES
• Frostbite – exposure of certain parts of the body
to cold temperature causing cold stiffening,
necrosis, gangrene and pallor.
•Trench Foot – condition usually seen among
those seen walking over the snow wherein the
feet are exposed to extreme cold
• Immersion foot – foot is submerged in cold
freezing liquid,
GUNSHOT AND SHRAPNEL WOUNDS
• is an open wound brought about by the
penetrating power of the projectile propelled by
the expansive force of the burning powder in the
cartridge shell
ENTRANCE WOUND
 Wound Is smaller than the Missle
 Entrance wound is inverted
 Entrance woundis round or oval
 Gunpowder tattooing is present in contact or
near contact fire
 ParaffinTest – positive in wound of entrance in
near contact fire
EXIT WOUND
 Wound is bigger than the missle
 Wound is averted
 Exit wound has no definite shape
 No tattooing
 No gunpowder tattooing
Short Range Fire (1 to 15cm Distance)
1. Edges of wound is inverted
2. If within the flame reach (6 inches in rifle and high-
powered gun and less than 3 inches from ordinary
handgun), there is area of burning)
3. Smudging due to smoke
4. Powder tattooing is present but dense and limited
dimension of spread)
5. Abrasion ring or collar is Present (Contact Ring)
Medium Range (more than 15cm but less than 60cm
1. Entrance is inverted with abrasion
2. Burning effect is absent
3. Smudging may be present if less than 30cm
4. Gunpowder tattooing is present but lesser density and
widespread
5. Contact ring is present
Fired more than 60cm
1. Gunshot wound is circular or oval
2. Wound of entrance has no burning, smudging or
tattooing
3. Contact ring is present
The “odd and even rule” in gunshot wounds
• If the number of gunshot wound of entrance and
exit found in the body of the victim is even, the
presumption is that no bullet is lodged in the
body. But if the number of gunshot wound
entrance and exit is odd, the presumption is that
one or more bullets might have lodged in the
bod.
EVIDENCE OF ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING
a. usually one shot
b. No special area of the body is involved.
c. Testimonies of witnesses.
EVIDENCE OF HOMICIDAL GUNSHOT WOUND
a. Site of the entrance wound has no point of
selection
b. Discharge of firearm is made when victim is
some distance away.
c. Sign of struggle may be present.
d. Signs of disturbance in the surroundings maybe
present.
INJURIES OR DEATHS DUE TO ELECTRICITY
• SHOCK – the main cause of death from the
electricity.
Burn
• An injury caused by the application of heat
or by a chemical or physical agent having an
effect similar to heat.
• In medico-legal field, injuries caused by friction,
electricity, lightning, corrosive substances and
radiation are also classified as burns.
• Clothed body burns more completely than
unclothed one. Obese person will burn more
completely than a thinner person because fat acts
as an accelerant.
• Classification of burns
• Superifical – affecting only the epidermis or the
outer layer of the skin
• Deep – involve the dermis(deep vascular inner
layer of the skin), tissues, and bones
DEGREES IN BURNS
• FIRST DEGREE BURN
• Injuries involve only the epidermis and are
characterized by erythema, edema, and pain.
They are produced by prolonged exposure to
low intensity heat or very brief exposure to high
intensity (mild sunburn) and manifests as red
discoloration and superficial inflammation.
When it heals, skin peeling typically occurs.
Wound healing is completed in approximately 5
to 10 days with no residual scarring.
• SECOND DEGREE BURN
• The most superficial second degree burns totally
affects the epidermis as well as the upper third
of the dermis. Such burns involve blister
formation and are extremely painful. It heals
approximately 7 to 10 days with minimal
scarring
• THIRD DEGREE BURN
• Destroy the full thickness of the epidermis
and the dermis. Heat coagulation of the
dermal blood vessel leaves the tissue avascular
with a characteristic waxy white appearance.
These burns require skin grafting because skin
regeneration is not possible
• FOURTH DEGREE BURN
• Charring injury
• Due to the incineration of tissues.
• There is a complete destruction of the skin and
subcutaneous tissues, as well as complete or
patrial charring of the bone.
TYPES OF BURNS
Dry burns
• Dry heat sources result in dry burns.
• *ovens, stove tops, hot engines, mufflers.
Radiator grills, clothe irons, hair dryers, heating
pads.
Scalds
• Produced by moist heat or steam, or any hot
liquid such as water, oil. Or even molten rubber
or metal. The scalded area appears erythematous
(abnormal redness of the skin resulting from
dilation of blood vessels) with desquamation
(loss of bits of outer skin) and blistering of the
usually sharply demarcated area of inury.
Chemical Burns
• Are produced through contact with corrosive
acids and alkalis. Most of these injuries onvolve
direct tissue damage, which causes drying
and blistering, destruction of protein or fat, or
interference with cellular metabolic processes. It
may take several hours before the burn
manifests.
Fire Burns
• Burns that occur from building or home fires are
the most common types of thermal injuries
encountered in death investigations
Radiant Burns
• Caused by a heat source close to the victim or
electromagnetic energy radiating out from an
energy source. (does not require direct contact
with a heat source)
RAPE AND SEX CRIMES INVESTIGATION
 The investigation of rape and other sex crimes
represent a significant challenge for the criminal
investigator. The manner in which the
investigation is conducted can have an impact,
not only on successful conclusion in court, but
also on the psychological and social well- being
of the victim. Sex crimes, unlike most other
criminal activity, are likely to leave an emotional
scar than can last a lifetime.
 Focusing on the crime of rape, it is important to
recognize that virtually all sex related offenses
demand special attention. To begin with,
interviewing the victims, witnesses, and even
 offenders, requires a high level of compassion
and skills.
Rape is also committed by any person who, under any of
the circumstances mentioned in the preceding paragraph,
shall commit an act of sexual assault by inserting his
penis into another person’s mouth or anal orifice, or any
instrument or object, into the genital or anal orifice of
another person.
The following are the essential elements of the crime
of rape:
1. Elements of Rape under the first paragraph:
1. That the offender is a man (under Republic
Act No. 8353,entitled “ the Anti- Rape Law
of 1997,” the crime of rape can now be
committed by a male or female.)
2. That the offender had carnal knowledge of a
woman.
3. That such act is accomplished under any of
the following circumstances:
a) By using force or intimidation.
b) When the woman is deprived or reason
or otherwise unconscious.
c) By means of fraudulent machinations or
grave abuse of authority.
d) When the woman is under 12 years of
age or demented.
2. Elements of rape under second paragraph:
1) That the offender commits an act of sexual
assault.
2) That the act of sexual assault is committed by
any of the following means:
a) By inserting his penis into
another person’s mouth or anal
orifice.
b) By inserting any instrument or
object into the genital or anal
orifice of another person.
3) That the act of sexual assault is accomplished
under any of the following circumstances:
a) By using of force or
intimidation
b) When the woman is deprived of
reason or otherwise
unconscious.
c) By means of fraudulent
machination or grave abuse of
authority.
d) When the woman is under 12
years of age (16 years of age) or
demented.
Statutory Rape
when the victim of rape is twelve years of age
and below, it is statutory rape. The reason for this is that
even if the child consented to the sexual intercourse, her
consent is not valid because by her age, she could not
give a valid consent.
Medico-Legal Aspects of Sex Crimes
 Virginity is a condition of a female who has not
experienced sexual intercourse and whose
genital organs have not been altered by carnal
connection. A woman is “virtuous female” if her
body is pure and if she has never had any sexual
intercourse with another, though her mind and
heart is impure.
 The presumption of a woman’s virginity arises
whenever it is shown that she is single and
continuous until overthrown by proof to be
contrary. A woman is presumed to be a virgin
when unmarried and of good reputation.
Kinds of Virginity
1. Moral Virginity
The state of not knowing the nature of sexual
life and not having experienced sexual relation. Moral
virginity applies to children below the age of puberty
and whose sex organs and secondary sex characters are
not yet developed.
2. Physical Virginity
A condition whereby a woman is conscious of
the nature of the sexual life but has not experienced
sexual intercourse. The term applies to women who have
reached sexual maturity but have not experienced sexual
intercourse.
Kinds of Physical Virginity:
True Physical Virginity
A condition wherein the hymen is intact and the
edges distinct and regular and the opening small to
barely admit the tip of the smaller finger of the examiner
even if the thighs are separated.
False Physical Virginity
A condition wherein the hymen is unruptured
but the orifice is wide and elastic to admit two or more
fingers of the examiner with lesser degree of resistance.
The hymen may be laxed and distensible and may have
previous sexual relation. In this particular instance the
physician may not be able to make convincing
conclusion that the subject is virgin.
3. Demi-Virginity
This term refers to a condition of a woman who
permits any form of sexual liberties as long as they
abstain from rupturing the hymen by sexual act. The
woman may be embraced, kissed, may allow her breast
to be fondled, her private organ to be held and other
lascivious acts. The woman allows sexual intercourse but
only “inter-femora” or even “inter-labia” but not to the
extent of rupturing the hymen.
4. Virgo Intacta
Literally the term refers to a truly virgin woman;
that there are no structural changes in her organ to infer
previous sexual intercourse and that she is virtuous
woman. Inasmuch as there are no conclusive evidences
to prove the existence of such condition, liberal
authorities extend the connotation of the term to include
women who have had previous sexual act or even
habitually but had not given birth.
Parts of the female body to be considered in the
determination of the condition of virginity
• Breast
• Viginal Canal
• Labia majora
• Labia minora
• Fourchette
• Hymen
Breast – (mammary glands) are functionally related to
the reproductive system since they secrete milk for
nourishment of the young child.
A fully develop breast may be classified according to
shape as follows:
 Hemispherical Breast – contour lines are not
straight but form part of a circle or half of a
sphere.
 Conical Breast – has the shape similar to a cone,
outline consist of two converging lines which
meet at the region of the nipple.
 Pendulous Breast – skin of the breast is loose
making it capable of swinging in any direction.
 Hemispherical Pendulous Breast
 Conical Pendulous Breast

Predisposing causes of vulvo-vaginal injuries during

sexual act
• Position during the sexual act
• Brutality of the male partner during sexual act.
• Recent vaginal surgery
• Excessive active involvement of the female
partner.
• Multiple sexual act among sex (Nymphomaniac
or Satyriatic) or multiple consort.
• Renewed sexual activity after prolonged
abstinence.
• Post-menopause
• Virginity – sex organ does not have
previous experience to stretching or coital act.
• Prepuberty – genital organ is not yet fully
developed in physiological function.
• Genital disproportion – male organ is
unusually big or female organ infantile in size
inspite of adult age.
• Unprepared or unaroused female – vaginal
secretion is absent, causing more friction.