Cause of Death
The primary objective of the autopsy is to determine the cause of death.
Some of the more common causes of death are blunt force injury, sharp force injury, aphyxia, gunshot wound, and substance abuse .
Cause of Death (Blunt force)
Blunt force injuries are caused by a non-sharpened object such as a bat or pipe.
Cause of Death (Sharp objects)
Sharp force inuries occur from weapons with sharp edges, such as knives or blades.
Cause of Death (Asphyxia)
Asphyxia encompasses a variety of conditions that involve interference with the intake of oxygen. For example, death at a fire scene is caused primarily by the extremely toxic gas, carbon monoxide.
Cause of Deaht (Gunshot)
Gunshot wounds originate from projectiles fired by a firearm.
The distance a weapon was fired from a target is one of the most important factors in characterizing a gunshot wound.
The Autopsy
An autopsy in its broadest is an examination of the body.
The goal of a forensic/medicolegal autopsy is to determine the cause of death and confirm the manner of death, often to be used in criminal proceedings.
Evidence from the autopsy (remember 4)
1. Victim's clothing/ 2. Fingernail scrapings/ 3. Vaginal, anal and oral swabs (sex-related crimes) rest in photos
Manner of Death
The manner of death relates to the circumstances that led to the fatal result.
Manner of Death - Different types
The manner in which death occurred is classified in death certificates as one of five categories:
Homicide, Suicide, Accidental, Natural, Undetermined
Estimating time of death (Algor)
Algor mortis results in the loss of heat by a body.
Estimating time of death (Livor)
Livor mortis results in the settling of blood in areas of the body closest to the ground.
Estimating time of death (Rigor)
Rigor mortis results in the shortening of muscle tissue and the stiffening of body parts within the first 24 hours and disappears within 36 hours.
Forensic Anthropology
An examination of bones mary reveal their sex, approximate age, race and skeletal injury.
Forensic Entomology
Forensic entomology is the study of insects and their relation to a criminal investigation, commonly used to estimate the time of death.
Forensic Entomology II
Forensic entomologists can approximate how long a body has been exposed by examining thte stage of development of the fly larvae.
Differences between Coronor and Medical Examiner
A coronor dates back hundreds of years. A coronor is an elected offical that cannot have a medical liscense and are not trained to be pathologists.
WHat is a critical phase of the death investigation?
Preliminary recustruction of events
Why can identification of the deceased be complicated?
Body decomposition and extensive trauma.
Why are paper bags placed over the hands at the crime scene?
Prevents contamination and possible loss of trace evidence
Why are hemorrhage in the eyelid essential to note?
Indicate strangulation
What should a pathologist keep in mind when examining blunt-force injuries?
The outward appearance of the injuries doesnt always coincide with the injuries inside the body.
In sharp-force cases, why is it important to examine the victim for defensive wounds?
The victim could be tied up or unconscious during the assault.
Describe two ways to determine if a victim was alive during a fire.
If they inhaled soot or smoke, they were alive.
What determines if a death is suicide?
It must be demonstrated that the individual did it alone.
What are the most methods of suicide?
Overdose, Hanging, gunshot to temple, forehead or mouth.
Name four areas of the body where suicide gunshots occur.
Temple, mouth, chest, and forehead
Name three main causes of accidental deaths.
Overdose, drowning and traffic accidents
Name two events that, although they look accidental, may be homicide or suicide.
Overdose, drowning, vehicular and fire