Forensic Pathology

Dr. Max M. Houck is an internationally-recognized forensic expert with research interests in forensic science, education, and the forensic enterprise and its industries. He has worked in all aspects of forensic science, including at the FBI Laboratory. Dr. Houck has published widely in books and peer-reviewed journals. His anthropology and trace evidence casework includes the Branch Davidian Investigation, the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon, the D.B. Cooper case, the US Embassy bombings in Africa, and the West Memphis Three case, among hundreds of others. He served for six years as the Chair of the Forensic Science Educational Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). Dr. Houck is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a founding Co-Editor of the journal Forensic Science Policy and Management.

• Section 1. OverviewIntroductionPrinciples of Forensic ScienceForensic Classification of EvidenceInterpretation/The Comparative MethodClinical Forensic Medicine—OverviewForensic Pathology—Principles and OverviewHistory of Forensic SciencesKey TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsSection 2. Postmortem IntervalIntroductionPostmortem IntervalEarly and Late Postmortem ChangesEstimation of the Time Since DeathVital Reactions and Wound HealingKey TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsSection 3. AutopsyIntroductionExternal Postmortem ExaminationAutopsyHistopathologyPostmortem ImagingKey TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsSection 4. TraumaIntroductionBlunt InjuryBurns and ScaldsAsphyctic Deaths—Overview and PathophysiologyStrangulationTraumatic and Postural Asphyxia, Physical RestraintImmersion DeathsSharp TraumaSystemic Response to TraumaGunshot WoundsDomestic ViolenceChild AbuseDefense WoundsSelf-Inflicted InjuryTortureTraffic Injuries and DeathsKey TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsSection 5. Causes of DeathIntroductionSudden Natural DeathSudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)Hyperthermia and HypothermiaElectrocution and Lightning StrikeDeaths Associated with Medical ProceduresNeonaticideKey TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsSection 6. IdentificationIntroductionIdentificationForensic Age EstimationPersonal Identification in Forensic AnthropologyIdentification of the LivingThe National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)Disaster Victim IdentificationAirplane Crashes and Other Mass DisastersKey TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsSection 7. Professional IssuesIntroductionCrime Scene to CourtExpert Witness Qualifications and TestimonyHealth and SafetyDeaths in CustodySuicideNational Association of Medical Examiners (NAME)Key TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion Questions