The police obtained the following three statements: Statement of Davie McTuff\'s

Question

The police obtained the following three statements:

Statement of Davie McTuff's Girlfriend (A)

"I was standing at the bar, next to my boyfriend, Davie McTuff. This guy came across the room and pushed his way to the bar. He bumped into Davie and spilt his drink. Davie was wearing a new jacket - I'd bought it for his birthday, three days ago - and he was annoyed that he'd got beer on it. It'll make quite a stain. Davie said something to the guy but I don't know what he said because he had his back to me. I reached out to hold Davie 'cos I didn't want any trouble but the guy suddenly went ballistic. His left hand had a knife in it - I could see it shining - and before Davie could avoid it, the guy has slashed the side of his head and the next thing I knew was that Davie was on the floor. I saw he was bleeding from his belly and I think the guy must have stabbed him there, too, with his knife. It all happened so quickly. I can't believe that we were just standing there chatting and Davie got stabbed by a total stranger. I think the girl behind the bar called the police and an ambulance"

Statement of the Accused (B)

"I had been at the bar ordering a round of drinks for the chaps at the corner table. I couldn't carry all the glasses so I'd left a couple at the bar. I went back to get them but this guy and some female were standing in front of them. I reached over the guy's arm and asked him to move slightly so I could get to my pint and my mate's pint. I thought he was going to move but then his girlfriend must have pushed him because he came at me. We sort of collided and he must have spilt his drink down his front. I got covered. I thought he was going to attack me so I raised my left hand. I'd been texting a pal about the football results and had my 'phone in my hand. Anway, I must have caught him on the side of the head - didn't mean to but his head came forward as I put up my arm to protect myself. It broke the cover of my 'phone. I think my wedding ring might have caught him too - I had to push him away. I've no idea why but he suddenly crumpled and fell. I think he landed on his glass because he was bleeding profusely from his chest or somewhere. I don't know what happened to him - didn't realise he was so badly hurt until you guys told me. I asked the girl behind the bar to call an ambulance. I don't know who 'phoned the cops!"

Statement of a Witness (C)

"I don't know how I can help really. I was sitting around a table with some friends out on an office party. We had just noticed some really fit bloke behind the bar so I turned round to get a better look. This guy walked up to the bar and looked as if he was trying to reach across and get his pint. It wasn't that busy but there was a couple standing where he'd placed his order. I'm not really sure what happened next. I think the guy who was talking to his girlfriend turned round and started to argue but I've no idea why. I saw the other guy punch him in the stomach and, I think, pick something off the bar and hit him on the side of his head too. His hand was in the air and he was holding something. It was silver so it might have been a knife I suppose. Must have been 'cos there was lots of blood everywhere. The guy suddenly fell over - probably the punch to the stomach must have got him? There was beer everywhere - he might have dropped his glass. Chaos. It was only supposed to be a quiet night." The following plan indicates the positions of McTuff (X) and the three witnesses immediately prior to the incident.

You are a police officer sitting in your patrol vehicle during a "stake out". You are growing increasingly tired of stale coffee and donuts, so you start thinking about the autopsy being carried out on McTuff. What injuries (name and describe), you ask yourself, would one expect to find IF the versions of events presented in the statements are true? To what extent might you expect the findings at autopsy to confirm or deny any or all of these statements? Complete and detailed answers.

Explanation / Answer

An autopsy is a surgical operation that is performed on a dead person to know the cause of death. It may be done in general or each organ of the body.The above question indicates that Mctuff had an argument with the murderer prior to his death and was killed by him.

According to the statement of his girlfriend (A) who was standing close to him and actually saw where her boyfriend was stabbed, injuries should be searched for close to the side of the head and stomach. A general autopsy should be conducted and especially for the stomach too.

According to the statement of the witness B who was standing a little behind from Mctuff who thinks that he was stabbed in the chest, a detailed examination of the body externally will exhibit all the area of injury in the body. If the victim was stabbed in the chest there will a deep wound and if it is there an autopsy of the heart and lungs has to be conducted.

Since witness C was standing quite away from the victim and all his statements are in probability his statement cannot help in exact autopsy but can help in tracing the attacker.

The findings of the autopsy, in general, will confirm the statements of A and B in relation to the injuries. That the victim was attacked at the side of the head can be proved by an external examination. And since all the three witnesses are saying the same thing this statement cannot be denied and the autopsy results should also prove that. A keen external examination can prove if the victim was stabbed in the stomach or chest and an autopsy of the stomach is essential as A was the closest witness to the act of murder and the external examination would also prove that.

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