Case Study Internal Final Case Briefing

Introduction to Case
As a medico-legal investigator I have been assigned the task to prepare and finalize the internal final case briefing for the Medical Examiner (ME). This final case briefing report will be attached to the case report and the autopsy report. The information obtained in this report will help determine the cause of death.
This case involves the victim who has been identified as 23 year old Sharon Jane Miller (DOB 10/07/1987). The victim was found by her sister Valerie Edith Anderson (DOB 08/22/1985) on June 17, 2011. A 911 call was made via the sister and recorded at 1138 Evidence leans towards the murderer being ex-boyfriend Todd Nathan Hughes (DOB 02/14/1980.
Discussion
At 11:38 AM a phone call was made and recorded to 911 by sister, Valerie Anderson when she discovered her sister, Sharon Miller deceased at her apartment located at 16B East Locust Street, Virtual, MD. According to sister as well as corresponding text messages (made with consent) made between the victim and the sister they were going to attend lunch together for the day. When arrival to her home she discovered her sisters body and proceeded to call the authorities. Further information was given by sister, Valerie Anderson that the deceased had disclosed that she had broken up with her boyfriend Todd Hughes whom she had been dating for four years. It was made known that Todd was an abusive boyfriend and had an extensive criminal record which included multiple arrests for domestic violence and drug abuse. He also had an ex-parte against him by Miller, which led to arrest due to Hughes violating the order. Sharon Miller also had a criminal record for domestic violence and drug abuse which coincidently began the time she started becoming involved with Hughes.
Hughes was released from jail the day prior to Sharon Miller’s death, however upon interviewing Hughes he claimed that he did not go near Miller and had learned his lesson while being in jail. Hughes mother provided him with an alibi, but she looked scared when speaking with officials. Upon visual observations it was apparent that Hughes had bruises and lacerations upon his hands which he claimed happened while he was locked up. When looked into the virtual jail did not have any records of Hughes being involved in any altercations.
Interviews
Dorothy Edith Miller (DOB 04/30/1962) who is the mother of the deceased was interviewed within her home. Information that she provided included that herself as well as Sharon did not know that Hughes was released from jail and due to his prior assaults and altercations with her daughter she was for sure that Hughes had something to do with her daughter’s death.
Jeffrey Mark Miller (DOB 06/01/1960) who is the father of Sharon Miller was not at home at the time of his wife’s interview. He was interviewed at his workplace where he also felt that Hughes was responsible for his daughter’s death.
Edith Margaret Williams (DOB 09/16/1934) is a witness located at 16A East Locust Street, Virtual, MD. Edith Williams said that she heard loud voices from the apartment next to hers (16B) around midnight, but she did not pay any attention to it due to the fact it happened a lot in the past. She then proceeded to remove her hearing aid and went to sleep. She informed officials that she is unaware who the male voice was, but she knew the female voice was Miller’s. She also claims she did not see anyone June 16th at night nor did she see Miller at all on June 17th.
Body Discovery
Police Arrival: 11:45 AM
Detective Arrival: 11:55 AM
CSI Arrival: 12:01 PM
Forensic Investigator (FI) Arrival: 12:21 PM
When the victim was discovered she was wearing a floral print “sun” dress. There were no injuries or discernible cause of death visible. Once the deceased was turned over there was blood discovered on the back of her dress. Furthermore, she was not wearing any underwear and blood was apparent to emanate from the vaginal area. There are injuries and contusions on the victims face as well as breast area. Palpitation of those areas did not have any bone movement which would therefore indicate breaking o the bones or any injury that could lead to death of the victim.
The body was transported to Virtual Hospital by the Foot Livery Company June 17th at 1:34 PM. Following autopsy was ordered by Forensic Investigator at 5:11 PM June 17th. The autopsy was then performed by Dr. W. Young. Dr. Young determined the time of death to be June 16 11:30PM to June 17 2:30 AM.
Autopsy Discoveries
The victim’s identity was positive by police file fingerprints. During the autopsy Dr. W. Young discovered that Miller had been a victim of forceful sexual encounter. Lacerations as well as contusions to the thigh as well as the outer vaginal area and inside the vaginal cavity. Evidence that was given over to police officials during the autopsy included a semen sample found on the victim as well as her dress. Along with those two items Dr. Young also collected a blood sample to give to officials at the time of the autopsy.
Conclusion of Autopsy
During the autopsy Dr. Young was not able to find a viable reason for the cause of death. The lacerations and contusions to the deceased’s body were not deep enough nor severe enough to cause death. There was also no evidence of any broken bones. During examinations of her organs everything was normal size and shape for a victim of Miller’s age. Further samples were collected from the deceased such as blood from the heart, urine, and a vitreous humor. Samples were also taken to perform a toxicology report. Multiple slices were removed from the heart, lungs and brain for further microscopic studies. As of this moment Dr. Young has not made a determination of death until all of the microscopic and toxicology reports come back.
Release of Body
Sharon Miller was released to Smith Family Funeral Home on June 19, 2011 for proper burial.