After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

• Describe the main changes that occur in the human body in the early stages after death and understand how these may be utilised to help estimate the post-mortem interval.
• Discuss how forensic entomology may be used to establish the post-mortem interval, the circumstances surrounding the death and any change in location of the body after death.
• Outline the process of post-mortem decomposition and appreciate how the rate at which it proceeds is influenced by certain factors (both external and internal in origin).
• Explain what is meant by the terms skeletalisation, mummification and adipocere formation, and how these processes are related to ambient conditions.
• Appreciate the role of the coroner in England and Wales in the investigation of reported deaths.
• Understand the procedure involved in medico-legal post-mortem examinations.
• Recognise the characteristics that may be used to identify unknown individuals from their remains.