In homicide cases, the autopsy is important, but it is not the only piece of evidence. Returning to the case of Esteban De León, although the exact cause of his death is not known, there are elements that indicate or make it highly probable that we are dealing with a death caused by a violent act, according to the prosecution's statement. There are already individuals who have been fully identified through videos obtained from security cameras, and who even destroyed evidence by burning the victim's car. Furthermore, the prosecution revealed that in Esteban's case, his alleged killers contacted him through a dating application. Esteban was found dead on November 5, after being reported missing on October 31. On social media and in the streets, there are those who believe that if the autopsy did not determine the cause of death, this could help his perpetrators evade responsibility; however, this is not the case. There are cases in which, although the exact cause of death cannot be established, experts can state a probable cause of death. A conviction for homicide is even possible even if it is not determined what caused the death. The case of Óscar Carpintero For example, a case similar to Esteban De León's took place in June of this year. The statements of Esteban De León's mother, who said there were no bullet impacts, blows, or stab wounds on her son's body, have raised uncertainty about the cause of his death. He was a nurse at Santo Tomás Hospital. Carpintero's body was located on June 30 in an advanced state of decomposition. The discovery was made four days after he was killed, as established in the autopsy protocol. The expert, upon conducting the examinations, did not observe traumatic lesions on the body caused by gunshots, bladed weapons, or blunt objects, but was able to observe marks on the neck that suggested a probable cause of death: mechanical asphyxiation. Without immediately stating a definitive cause of death, the physician from the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (IMELCF), who prepared the report on the Carpintero case, established that a mark or impression on the skin or soft tissues of the neck could be observed, and indicated that this could suggest hanging or suffocation as a possible direct cause of death. For the murder of Óscar Carpintero, two individuals are currently in provisional detention after security cameras from some businesses captured them in the victim's vehicle and making purchases with his cards. The prosecution indicated that one of the individuals involved in the crime was the deceased's partner. And if the experts cannot even determine a possible cause of death? The prosecution can still pursue a charge of homicide or femicide for a violent act, even if the forensic report may not determine the cause of death due to factors such as the advanced state of decomposition of the body, carbonization, etc. An autopsy that does not determine the cause of death can still lead to a conviction if there are sufficient circumstantial evidence. (Article prepared with the advice of criminal defense lawyers) In a vacant lot in the Pedregal district, Rana de Oro sector, San José, near the Tapia River, in a wooded area, the body of Óscar Carpintero was found dead.
