Death The irreversible cessation of all vital functions, including brain activity. Death is “natural” when it is caused solely by disease and/or the ageing process. It is “unnatural” when its causes are external, such as intentional injury (homicide, suicide), negligence, or unintentional injury (death by accident). Decomposition (post mortem) The process of dissolution of the body after death. In the early hours and days after death, some of the changes can be mistaken for injuries (e.g. signs of putrefaction such as swelling and purplish discolouration of the face and body). Deceased Depending upon the context, dead, or a dead person. Defence injuries/ wounds Injuries/wounds sustained by a victim resulting from attempts at self-defence during an assault. Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) The scene, mortuary-based and related processes (e.g. ante-mortem data collection, reconciliation) of dealing with a multiple fatality event to ensure that individuals are correctly identified. Undertaken in accordance with Interpol guidelines. Epiphysis(es) The end(s) of particularly, but not only, long bones; the process of the fusion of the epiphysis(es) with the shaft of the long bone allows conclusions to be drawn about the age of the person. Ethics The study of what is right and wrong. Professional ethics concentrates on the behaviour and attitudes of members of a particular profession. Exhibits Physical evidence thought to be relevant to the investigation of a crime or death that are labelled, recorded as exhibits and kept securely so that they cannot be interfered with or contaminated. Femur The thigh bone. Fingerprints (latent) Fingerprints present on a surface requiring a technical process to make them visible. Forensic Relating to the courts or, more generally, the law. Forensic anthropology The examination of human skeletal material to answer medico-legal questions including those of identification. Forensic archaeology The use of the skills employed in the study of ancient remains and objects for the purposes of the law, usually in relation to the excavation, recovery and evaluation of scenes and sites. Forensic ballistics/ Firearms and toolmarks These two categories of forensic science are often used interchangeably; in this document, they refer to the examinations leading to conclusions of forensic value about gunshot wounds and the projectiles recovered from them. Forensic doctor For the purposes of this document, a certified medical doctor who is authorized to perform forensic post-mortem examinations. Forensic entomology The study of insects in a forensic setting, most often in forensic pathology as an indicator of the minimum time since death. Forensic odontology The study of dentistry in relation to the law, in particular in the investigation of death, especially for the identification of human remains. Forensic medicine The principles and practice of medicine as applied to the needs of the law and the courts. Forensic pathologist The medical specialist concerned with the investigation of deaths in which the law has an interest; in this document, used interchangeably with the term forensic doctor. Forensic science The application of the principles and practice of science to the needs of the law and the courts. Forensic toolmarks The examination of marks left on exhibits and the comparison of these with possible causative implements/tools/weapons; in some laboratories this is combined with the assessment of firearms. Forensic toxicology The science of drugs and poisons applied to the needs of the law and the courts. 53