CHINA Woman, whose identity was never revealed, became the victim of a brutal murder. After death, the perpetrator cut her into several pieces in an attempt to dispose of her body. This considerably complicated the work of forensic experts, who during the autopsy had to put the individual parts back together.
Forensic experts in such cases proceed somewhat differently than in a standard autopsy. It is important to check every cut on the body in the smallest detail, including cuts on the bones. Based on this, it is possible to estimate the tool that was used to dismember the corpse, as well as the anatomical knowledge of the perpetrator. In the past, perpetrators were identified by precise cuts, when the investigators’ focus narrowed down to doctors and butchers.
Furthermore, the body is subjected to the so-called external examination. This includes photographic documentation, examination of the skin, tattoos, postmortem changes, or birthmarks. These are the main markers that can contribute not only to the identification of the victim, but also to the preliminary determination of the time of death. These data are compared with information about missing persons.
Other procedures include histology, toxicology, collection of biological materials, and anthropological assessment. The work of forensic doctors is often much more difficult than it may appear at first sight and often involves cooperation of an entire specialized team from various branches of medicine.
