Spitz and Fisher's Medicolegal Investigation of Death: Guidelines for the Application of Pathology to Crime Investigation 4th Edition

This book is listed as read in 2019. Actually, I only read the parts I needed. But I have read most of this book over the years. Early in my education, again in 2005 when I bought the later edition. Pathology is kind of a hobby for me. Don't ask. lol Spitz is a genius, literally. He's an older gentleman now, etc. but if I needed someone to look at a body and do autopsy, it would be Spitz and Baden, the latter is really my favorite. I adore Baden. His work is some of the best ever done in this field. In Biology, my favorite thing was dissecting. It truly was. I did all kinds of science projects where I made clay representations of internal organs. My mother used to hide all the frogs. If some poor creature died in our neighborhood, I'd be looking at it. I was never a child this way. HUMAN ANATOMY IS ONE OF MY FIRST LOVES. And I am very good at it. Later I fell in love with bones. I've been using this for some questions on the #WM3 case. But eventually I had to go ask questions from those who are smarter than me. If you want to know anything about Application of Pathology for crimes, this is the ultimate book.

I watch many of the ER and CSI type of shows on TV. [Possibly too many?] I'm impressed by how much info they can gather just by a close examination of the physical wounds. I saw this book and thought it might make good reading in the cold winter months. So far it has, including the background on how Medical Examiners evolved and came to be. I like the book, although my kids think I'm very strange. [I prefer eccentric.] I only gave it 4 stars because the pictures are black and white. They could increase the educational value of the book by at least 100% if they would use color pictures.

At first I was hesitant to spend $120 on a reference book I couldn't manually look through (aside from the pages available for viewing through Amazon), but I took a chance. As a forensic scientist who is new to death investigation, this reference is well worth the money. From front to back, this book is packed with well-written, thorough discussions of the different causes and manners of death. The written information, complimented by hundreds of photos and illustrations, is presented in terms that are comprehensible even to those without a background in forensic pathology or medicine. For the amount and quality of information packed into this large volume, $120 is actually a steal. I absolutely recommend this reference for anyone who has a role in death investigation. Students of forensic science, if you're too broke to buy this, put it on your wish list and hope you get it as a graduation gift. It's a must-have that is worth the three-digit price tag.

Don't be fooled by the traditional appearance of this book's cover: it is the most complete, authoritative and updated reference in the field. There is a reason why this textbook is called "The Bible of Forensic Pathology"! Concepts are explained in detail with plenty of pictures to reinforce the text. It covers all the areas of forensic pathology, from crime scene investigation and blood spatter analysis to sharp force injury and autopsy reports. Yes, it lacks some fascinating and exoteric cases like the ones described in DiMaio's Forensic Pathology, but you won't find such a comprehensive and useful textbook out there!Definitely worth all the money and I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in Forensic Pathology!

I am a 37 year veteran of law enforcement and have been involved in everything from basic patrol, investigations, supervision and executive administration. Dr. Spitz's text is an incredible resource for those involved in the investigation of injuries sustained by the human body, whether they be accidental or homicidal.There is an incredible amount of written detail contained within the book, supported by explanations about the mechanism of injury, inclusive of photographs and diagrams. This book should be in the library of every individual who desires to be versed on the mechanics of human injury. Highly recommended.

A " Must have" for anyone in the medicolegal field of studies. Purchased mine as a reference/self study book. Although aimed at the professionals in the field, it is written in such a way anyone can grasp a lot of information. Curiosity (I am a self taught/trial and error student) and the need to keep knowing more, will push you to search deeper and deeper.

This book explains in detail so many issues involved an autopsy it has become my favorite desk reference. I am a criminal defense attorney and the bulk of my cases are homicides so this is so helpful for those none gunshot wound cases.

Amazing reference book. I bought this for a graduate course but find that I use regularly in my work. Excellent examples and very informative. Extremely heavy so I wouldn't recommend traveling with it, but it's a great resource to keep handy at your desk if your job involves crime scenes or death investigations.

This is a work textbook. Just what I needed. Excellent resource.

Awesome book! Love it!

Very detailed well written book. As a coroner with the BC Coroners Service this book is extremely essential.

Very detailed, well organized and very up to date.

It is a great addition to your library if you're passionate about forensics. It has a very pedagogical approach and thus it is suited for doctors, lawyers, prosecutors or judges who are dealing with complex cases in this field.