Death in the work place; Accident or homicide? The role of death scene examination

Abstract

Death scene examination is an essential component of a complete medico-legal autopsy. The present case is that of a 58-year-old male who died very late at night in an unclear circumstance. He had suffered severe multiple craniofacial fractures, and injuries to the left hand and digits (defense wounds), mimicking homicidal death. The altered scene was examined 4 weeks after the incident, and with the autopsy conducted at the same time, the manner of death was concluded to an accident.