Just Published: Gender Identity in Forensic Death Investigation
A journal article that Dr. Redgrave of the Trans Doe Task Force co-authored has been published online ahead of print in the American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. Dr. Redgrave was honored to have been asked to assist in this important work that we hope will be read and cited by many professionals seeking guidance on how to address the needs of gender diverse decedents.
Professionals and students with access through their institutions may log in to read the paper here. If you do not have institutional access, you may subscribe or purchase the article as well.
Gender Identity in Forensic Death Investigation
A Narrative Review and Suggested Guidelines for Documenting and Reporting
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology ():10.1097/PAF.0000000000000946, May 23, 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000946
Abstract
In the current body of forensic literature, there is little guidance available regarding death investigations of transgender, intersex, and gender diverse individuals. An increase in the prevalence of gender diverse identifying people and the frequency in which these individuals experience a premature death makes it more likely these deaths will fall under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner's office. The inability to navigate these diverse cases due to a lack of training, education, and support may leave forensic professionals without the tools needed to accurately represent these deaths.
This narrative review is intended to provide the foundational knowledge needed by forensic death investigators when investigating gender identity in death, including suggested guidelines for a more effective and empathetic death investigation. A better understanding of the implications and applications of this information when included in reports will bolster the quality and quantity of the data reported and collected. This will lead to more accurate monitoring and reporting of violent, suicidal, and homicidal deaths of transgender, intersex, and other gender diverse individuals, and a higher identification rate of unidentified remains with gender diverse markers.
