ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 4

Fatal Fall of an Aircraft Stowaway: A Demonstration of the Importance of Death Scene Investigation
Thogmartin, JR
Chief medical examiner, Palm Beach County Medical Examiner Office, FL

(Received 5 April 1999; accepted 24 May 1999)

Abstract

Scene investigation is of paramount importance in forensic pathology. Many medical and coroner systems wisely and routinely evaluate the scene in homicides but do not routinely investigate traffic fatality scenes. This case originally was thought to be a pedestrian-automobile event, but, due to proper and prompt scene investigation, it was determined that the decedent was actually a wheel-well stowaway who fell from a commercial aircraft.

Keywords:
forensic science, stowaway, aircraft, scene investigation, falls

Paper ID: JFS14664J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14664J
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