algor mortis
the cool of the body after death
cause of death
the immediate reason for a person's death
decomposition
the process of rotting and breaking down
instar
one of the three larval stages of insect development
liver mortis
the pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a reddish color in the skin
mechanisms of death
the specific body failure that leads to death
rigor mortis
the stiffening of the skeletal muscles after death
autolysis
the spontaneous break down of cells as they self-digest
death
The end of life
forensic entomology
the study of insects as they pertain to legal issues
larva
immature form of an animal that undergoes metamorphosis
manner of death
the means by which someone dies (natural, suicidal, accidental, homicidal)
pupa
the stage in an insect's life cycle when larva forms a capsule around itself and changes into an adult form
autopsy
a examination of a dead body
Why is it impossible to determine the precise moment of death?
More of a process than an instant event
The heart stops beating
As the level of oxygen drops the basic functions fail to occur
Cells, nerves, muscles, organs, and brain stop working
1st stage of death: STOPPAGE
Distinguish between four manners of death: natural, accidental, and suicidal and homicidal.
� Natural:
? caused by interruption and failure of body function resulting from age/disease
? Most common
? Heart attack
� Accidental:
? Caused by unplanned events
? Car accident, falling off a ladder
� Suicidal:
? Occurs when a person purposefully kills
what is an example of nonbiological evidence found during an autopsy
bullet
what does the autopsy determine?
What is included in the autopsy report?
� Manner, cause, and mechanism of death
� Estimate a T.O.D. (time of death)
� Conduct external and internal exams
External exam
Evidence of injury
Internal examination
M.E. findings and opinion
Describe the stages of decomposition of a corpse.
1st
No outward change of body
Chemicals released as cells die begin to attract flies
2nd
Begins when the body starts to swell
Internal bacterial decomposition due to intestinal bacteria entering the body and producing gases that case the body to bloat
3rd
Explain when lividity first appears and how long after death it is fixed.
For the first few hours, lividity isn't fixed (begins 30 m- 2 h after death)
After 12 hours lividity becomes fixed
Can help determine if the body was moved before lividity completely set
Explain the progression of rigor mortis from when it first sets into when it fades.
Rigor mortis starts within 2 hours after death
After 12 hours, the body is at its most rigid state
Between 15-48 hours, the stiffness gradually
disappears
The muscles stiffen because there's a lack of O2
Head to toe
Disappears in the level head down to to
Describe the effect of each of the following variables to the onset of rigor mortis:
- Body temperature
- Weight
- Amount of clothing on the victim
- Amount of exercise prior to death
Temperature
Cold: slow
Warm: fast
Weight:
Heavy: slower
Light: faster
Clothing:
On: faster
Off: slower
Level of physical activity at TOD
The area the was being exercised will exihibit rigor first
Estimate the loss of body temperature after
- the first 12 hours after death
- after 24 hours after death
in the first 12 hours: 9.4
after 12 hours: 0.39 every hour
True or False
Many factors affect rigor mortis, such as the type of clothing the person is wearing.
true
True or False
Experts from different sciences agree that the definition of death is the end of life.
false
True or False
Blowflies are one of the first insects to arrive at a dead body and are very useful in determining the time of death.
true
True or False
Livor mortis refers to the color of a dead body.
true
True or False
The only two manners of death are natural death and homicidal death.
false
True or False
Mechanism of death describes what has occurred in the body to cause death.
true
True or False
The presence of drugs in a corpse cannot be determined by a chemical analysis of larvae found feeding on the body.
false
True or False
Within minutes of a death, certain insects are attracted by the smell of the first stages of decomposition.
true
When is peak rigor noted?
12 hours
When does rigor start to fade?
12 - 15 hours
Which of the following is not found in an autopsy report
a. Full description of the body
b. Notation of disorders or malformations
c. Recent internal or external injuries
d. A detailed family medical history
D
Which of the following is not true about estimating time of death?
a. It is an exact science
b. It often relies on witness statements
c. It uses body temperature
d. Insect infestation may provide relevant information
A
How quickly does a body lose heat after death?
a. 1.5oC/hr
b. 1.0oC/hr
c. 0.78oC/hr
d. 37oC/hr
A
Rigor mortis ____________
a. Begins about two hours after death
b. Is useful in estimating time of death during the first 36-48 hours
c. Is permanent
d. A & b
D
Which of the following is not part of a death investigator's preliminary investigation?
a. Talking to witnesses and family of the deceased
b. Reviewing medical history and police reports
c. Doing an internal examination
d. Talking to law enforcement about
C
Compare and contrast cause of death, mechanism of death, and manner of death. Give an example of each.
Manner of death is one of four ways by which someone dies (natural, suicidal, homicidal, and accidental)
Cause of death is the actual reason for a person's death (bullet wound, strangulation)
Mechanism of death is the specific body failure that led to dea
The body of a 30-year-old woman is found in her home. The police think that her husband poisoned her for insurance money. What tests could be done to prove whether the victim was poisoned?
the contents of the stomach could be analysed