Paul Attwood wrote: An unexpected death I would contend should not be a GP
problem!! (Ducks
down) Good article in Pulse a month or two back where some forensic guy was
suggesting in an era of large Co-ops that the role of the Police Surgeon
should be extended to include unexpected deaths.
(Dons police surgeon's hat)
As a deputy PS I have frequently been called to sudden deaths. I think it
is always useful to have a forensic eye when entering the house and
examining the deceased. Like most of life there are clear extremes where
either it's obvious: "Doc he's got a meat cleaver in his head and he's
stiff". In this case visual inspection from the other side of the room is
appropriate. Or "Little old lady in bed, found by rellies in morning",
needs confirmation of death by examination e.g. heart and lung sounds, with
corneal reflexes tested.
The rest of death is in between. The first is obviously police surgeon
work, the latter GP.
My _advice_ to non PSs is that if you are worried about foul play call the
police and ask for "Scenes of Crime" officers and duty Police Surgeon to
attend. If, as frequently happens, there are no suspicious circumstances,
you will get a bit of gentle ribbing. If, however, it turns out to be
murder, you will have left your DNA all over the crime scene. You will have
to give samples to the police. You will have left fabric fibres all over
the site and will have to give up _all_ your clothing. And you may well
have destroyed vital evidence by making your examination.
HTH
Mark
Dr G Mark Trowell
Highbridge Medical Centre
Pepperall Road
Highbridge
Somerset
TA9 3YA
01278 783220
01278 785486 (Fax)
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