Explain Locard's Exchange Principle and its relevance to the collection of evidence pertaining to a suspicious death. With consideration to Locard's principle, what precautions must the death investigator take when investigating a death scene? What is the purpose of bagging hands and/or feet of the decedent? In what type of cases should the hands and/or feet of the decedent be bagged? Is it also advisable to bag the entire body, and if so, in what type of cases? Explain and justify your choices.
- Research and explain at least three types of post mortem changes that you might encounter when you respond to a death scene. Explain the type of information that might be gained from each type, and what challenges exist in the recovery of the evidence as a result of the change.