title: The need for an interdisciplinary approach in forensic sciences: perspectives from a peculiar case of mummification.
abstract: The finding of a mummified body raises many problems, also because of the limits of the medico-legal investigations in case of mummification. Psychological autopsy and behavioral analysis have demonstrated a significant impact in case of equivocal death. The mummified corpse of a woman was found sealed in a wardrobe during the death investigation of a 36-year-old man, later discovered to be the woman's son. The woman's corpse was well preserved and no external injuries were found. Autopsy could not ascertain the cause of death. The state of the premises and the writings on the walls offered an opportunity to investigate the man's psychological profile and to better understand how the events might have taken place. The role of an accurate investigative analysis of the crime scene is a cornerstone of forensic pathology and the case presented underlies the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in forensic sciences.
authors: Department of Legal Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology, University of Genova, via De' Toni 12, Genova, 16132, Italy. francesco.ventura@unige.it
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Ventura
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Portunato
authors: Enrico
authors: E
authors: Pizzorno
authors: Silvana
authors: S
authors: Mazzone
authors: Alfredo
authors: A
authors: Verde
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Rocca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D032721:Adult Children / Q000523:psychology*; D001293:Attitude to Death; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009106:Mummies; D009769:Object Attachment