By determining the oldest stage of fly found on the body,

and taking environmental factors into consideration, Entomologists can approximate the ___________ interval.

POST MORTEM

Typically the hyoid bone and the thyroid cartilage are not fractured in hanging cases.

TRUE

Different lividity patterns on a body may indicate that the body was moved after death, but before livor mortis had fully fixed.

TRUE

A _______ force injury can abrade and crush tissue.

BLUNT

_ -___ examinations are most commonly performed in gunshot wound or stab cases.

X-RAY

3 types of Autopsy

1. Medico-legal or Forensic
2. Anatomical or Academic
3. Clinical or Pathological

8 Steps of the Autopsy

1. External examination
2. Internal examination
3. Viewing internal organs
4. Removal of internal organs
5. Removal of the brain
6. Examining the organs
7. Return organs to the body
8. Sew up the body

Ways to identify a body

• Face
• Eye color
• Skin color
• Hair color / structure
• Tattoos / Scars
• Fingerprints
• Stature / body structure
• Sex
• DNA

Cooling is affected by ...

• Initial body temp
• Body Size
• Posture
• Clothing/covering
• Ambient temp / humidity
• Air movement
• Medium around body
• Hemorrhage

Maceration

When the skin is in contact with moisture for too long

Skin is lighter in color

May feel soft, wet, soggy

Types of Decomposition

(4 types)

1. Putrefication - discoloration, gas build up, skin slippage etc.
2. Mummification - dry decomp
3. Conversion to Adipocere - liquification of fatty tissue
4. Maceration - in fetuses, bodies found in water

Adipocere

Late stage post mortem decomp product consisting of a mixture of free fatty acids formed under favorable conditions due to the hydrolysis of triglycerides in adipose tissue

Time of death by Temp and Rigor

• Warm and flaccid : < 3 hrs
• Warm and stiff : 3 - 8 hrs
• Cold and stiff : 8 - 36 hrs
• Cold and flaccid : > 36 hrs

What is Rigor Mortis and what affects it?

• Linking of actin and myosin in absence of ATP
• Slower if cold
• Faster if warm
• Faster if physical exertion before death

Adenosine Triphosphate

(ATP)

A substance present in all living cells that provides energy for many metabolic processes and is involved in making RNA

Actin

A protein that forms (together with myosin) the contractile filaments of muscle cells, and is also involved in motion in other types of cells

Hypostasis

Sedimentation and diffusion of red cells and plasma after death

(pale at areas of support)

Forensic Science

Science applied to civil and criminal law

After death, two decomposition processes take place

____________ and ____________

Autolysis

Putrefaction

Levels of _________ in the ocular fluid can help indicate time of death

Potassium

Livor Mortis

Process of the blood settling in parts of the body closest to the ground

Algor Mortis

The process of the body's continually decreasing in temperature after death until it reaches the environmental temperature

Adult flies collected at the scene

Should be stored in a glass vial containing 70% isopropyl alcohol

Contusion 

Extent / Severity

• Amount of force
• Vascularity of tissue
• Type of tissue
• Location of tissue
• Ease of bruising

Blunt Force Trauma

(3 types)

1. Abrasion
2. Contusion
3. Laceration

Major focus of Forensic Investigation

Cause of death (why)

Mechanism of death (how)

Manner of death (what)

* Natural

* Accident

*Suicide

*Homocide

*Undetermined

Scrape Abrasion

Blunt object scraped off superficial layers

Caused by friction

Linear abrasion (scratch) is the most common type

Thoracotomy Incision

Incision to the chest cavity

Bumper Fracture

Bilateral fractures in the tibia and fibula and can show a person was standing when they were hit

3 types of Abrasion

Scrape / Brush

Impact Abrasion

Patterned Abrasion

Digestive System Organs

Liver

Stomach

Intestines

Skin Slippage

Separation of the epidermis from the dermis

Suffocation

Failure of oxygen to reach blood due to an oxygen poor environment

How do chemical burns work?

They cause coagulation of proteins in skin, resulting in the death of the tissue

Where is putrefaction first seen?

GI tract

Pancreas

Examples of unacceptable COD

Cardiac arrest

Cardiopulmonary arrest

Multiorgan system failure

Natural causes

Old age

Failure to Thrive

Sepsis

How many pounds of pressure required to occlude a trachea?

33 lbs

Homocide

Death at the hands of another

Soot in the Wound

Muzzle Impression

Contact range shot

Evisceration

Removal of the viscera

(internal organs)

Cardiomyopathy

Disease of the heart

Contact burn

Physical contact between body and a hot object (not a flame)

Hepatomegaly

Enlarged liver, seen in alcoholics

Virchow Autopsy

The most widely used technique

One organ at a time

Uneven Pupils

Anisocoria

Berry Aneurysm

Abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakening of the wall, usually in a circle of willis

Means of Positive Identification

Visual

Fingerprints

Radiology

DNA

Undetermined manner of death

Despite all reasonable police, forensic investigation, autopsy, microscopy, and toxicology; there is still insufficient information about the circumstances surrounding the death to make a ruling or there are competing manners of death

Periorbital Ecchymosis

Raccoon eyes

Basilar skull fracture

Greek translation of Autopsy

To see for oneself

Smothering

Obstruction or occlusion of the external airways (nose/mouth)

Name some things that hasten decomposition

Obesity

Heavy Clothing

Heat

Sepsis / Infection

Stab vs Incised Wound

Stab = wound deeper than length

Incised = wound longer than deep

Bloating

Generalized swelling due to bacterial gas formation

Rhabdomyolysis

Breakdown of skeletal muscle and occurs with hyperthermia

Cause of Death

The etiologically specific injury or disease that initiated the lethal change of events, that resulted in the death of the individual

Physiological Time of Death

The point at which the body's vital organs ceased to function

Contrecoup Brain Contusion

Opposite the side of impact

Hypothermia

Body temperature less than 95 degrees

What does the stomach do?

Releases enzymes, acids, and gastric juice which help in the digestion and breakdown of food

What cases require a definite full autopsy?

Homocides, police custody deaths, charred, severely decomposed, unidentified bodies, possible criminal prosecution, sudden and unexpected child death, dies under 40 with little to no medical history, competing manners of death

What is the Mechanism of Death?

The physiological derangement produced by the COD that results in death

How will wounds parallel to Langer's Lines appear?

Long and thin

Sharp force trauma

(4 types)

1)  Stab

2) Incised

3) Chop

4) Therapeutic / Diagnostic Wound (medical)

Letulle Technique

Organs are removed "en masse"

(in blocks)

Chemicals that can cause chemical asphyxiation

Carbon Monoxide

Cyanide

Hydrogen Sulfide

Pulmonary Thromboembolism

Blood clot in the lungs that traveled from somewhere else

Examples of Volatile Solvents

Paint thinners & removers

dry cleaning fluids

degreasers

gasoline

glues

correction fluids

felt tip markers

Shored wounds

Wounds that result from Entry/exit site being in contact with another object as the projectile is attempting to exit the body, crushing the skin

Purpura

1 cm hemorrhages larger than pettichiae and sometimes raised

Where is an Intracerebral hemorrhage located?

From a diseased or weakened blood vessel bursting within the brain

Langer's Lines

A pattern of elastic fibers in the dermis of the skin, which is approximately the same from person to person

Describe how petechial hemorrhage occur

Result from the rupture of small blood vessels when the venous return of blood from the head is obstructed while the arterial blood flow to the head is maintained.

Trauma to skull and brain

(2 types)

1) Impact injuries

2) Acceleration / deceleration injuries

Causes of delayed death from fire

Sepsis

Shock

Fluid loss

Respiratory insufficiency

Autolysis

The breakdown of the body tissue by it's own chemicals and enzymes, self digestion, non-bacterial breakdowns

Mechanical Asphyxiation

(2 types)

1) Positional

2) Traumatic

Intermediate Range of Fire

Between 2" and 24"

What is a flame burn?

Where there is physical contact between a body and a flame

Abrasion

An injury to the skin in which there is removal of the epidermis by friction against a rough surface or destruction of the superficial layers by compression

Hyperthermia

Body temperature above 105 degrees

What is the time frame for Livor Mortis?

Onset is 30 min - 2 hrs

Fixed 8 - 12 hrs

What is marbling?

The breakdown or destruction of red blood cells in the vessels, produced by hemolysis

6 types of burns

1) Flame

2) Contact

3) Radiant heat

4) Scalding

5) Chemical

6) Electrical

Patterned Abrasions

Imprint of the offending object or intermediary material, such as clothing, is stamped or imprinted onto the skin by crushing with a blunt object

Hypoxia

Partial lack of oxygen in body tissue

Scalding burn

Produced by moist heat by application of a liquid at or near it's boiling point

Difference between Gaseous Suffocation and

Chemical Asphyxiation

Gaseous Suffocation : displacement of oxygen in the area

Chemical Asphyxiation : occurs at a cellular level - prevents absorption of oxygen

Features of a close range shot

Soot and gunpowder residue along wound edges, muzzle impression, minor lacerations around the wound

What organ digests, absorbs, and processes food for use by the body?

The Liver

Most common way carbon monoxide is created

It is a by product of combustion present whenever fuel is burned

What is Scleral Icterus?

Yellowing of the eye

What do the intestines do?

Absorb nutrients from food and process them for use.  They remove water from undigested food to form stool.

What brain structure regulates body temperature?

Hypothalmus

What system are the kidney's part of?

The Urinary system

OCME equation

Scene investigation + Medical info + Autopsy

=

Who, what, when, why, where, how

Define 'Natural Manner of Death'

Death caused solely and entirely by disease and/or natural ageing process without intervention of trauma

Define Forensic Pathology

Focuses on determining the COD in sudden, unexpected or violent death by examination of a corpse.

Incorporating physical exam, toxicology, microscopy, and histology

Sign of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

(during autopsy)

Cherry red lividity

Positional Mechanical Asphyxiation

Requires the positioning of the body where breathing is compromised.

Chemical Asphyxiation

When the chemical acts on the molecular or cellular level by hindering the deliverance of oxygen to the tissues - prevent the cells from using oxygen - survivable if removed from the environment

Aortic Stenosis

The narrowing of the aortic valve opening

A valvular disease

How are chop wounds created?

Produced by heavy instruments with a heavy cutting edge

Define drowning

When a person submerged in water attempts to breathe and instead aspirates water, leading to a decrease in oxygen

How close is an intermediate shot?

2 - 24" evident by stippling

Where is a Subdural Brain hemorrhage located?

Between the dura and the brain under dura

Role of Coroners and Medical Examiners

To decide the scope and course of a death investigation, which includes examining the body, determining whether to perform an autopsy, and ordering x-ray, toxicology, or other laboratory tests

Manner

The classification of death:

homocide

suicide

accidental

natural

unexplained

Role of the Medicolegal Death Investigator

Investigate any death that falls under the jurisdiction of the ME or coroner.  Responsible for the dead person, where as law enforcement is responsible for the scene.

Performs scene investigation emphasizing information developed from the decedent.

Unnatural

and

Unexplained Deaths

Homocides

Suicide

Unintentional injuries

Drug related death

Sudden or Unexpected death

The Medicolegal Death Investigation system

Is responsible for conducting death investigations and certifying the cause and manner of unnatural and unexplained death

Lateral

Away from the midline

Medial

Toward the midline

Inferior

Away from the head

Superior

Toward the head or the upper part of the shoulders

Posterior

At the back of the body

Anterior

Nearer to or at the front of the body

Dura mater

The outermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord

Epidural

Above the dura between your skull and the dura mater

Hematoma

A collection of blood

Subdural

Under the dura mater

between the arachnoid membrane of the brain and spinal cord

Pulmonary Edema

Fluid accumulation in the lungs

Frequently found in victims of chronic cocaine and amphetamine abuse

Stippling

The discharge from a firearm will produce characteristic markings on the skin

Petechiae are caused by the escaping of blood into the tissue as a result of ________ bursting.

Capillanes

Hemoglobin

The protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen

Wounds on a victim's forearms, may be _______ wounds.

Defensive

Primary objective of an Autopsy

Determine cause of death