Homicide in a Horse Barn?

Abstract

As forensic scientists and physicians, forensic pathologists are duty-bound to perform their examinations with integrity and professionalism. The practice of medicine requires knowledge regarding the history and presentation of the patient. In forensic pathology, the history includes scene and other investigative information, and the decedent's medical and social history. Such information is important for the correct certification of the cause and manner of death. Herein, the authors present a case originally thought by police and death investigators to represent a sexual-assault-related homicide, as an elderly female's body was found partially nude, and apparently beaten, on the muddy floor of her horse barn. At autopsy, some of the injuries were determined to be postmortem and caused by horses. Additionally, gastric Wishnewsky spots indicated hypothermia as a probable mechanism of death. Finally, an acute hip fracture was identified, which explained why she was incapable of moving from her potentially dangerous environment.

Commentary on: Prahlow SP, Prahlow JA. Homicide in a horse barn? J Forensic Sci https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13774. Epub 2018 Mar 8

“…We read with interest article by Prahlow S and Prahlow J. entitled "Homicide in a Horse Barn?" which describes a case of elderly female found partially nude, with injuries, on the floor of her horse barn (1). The autopsy shown that some of the injuries were determined to be postmortem, caused by horses.…”