Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

CVS - Forensic Science > 1 - Investigation of Death > Flashcards

1 - Investigation of Death Flashcards

1
Q

What is death

A

Complete, irreversible and persistent cessation of circulation, respiration and nervous system, with failure of body to act as an integrated system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What can cause difficulties in death confirmation

A
  • Drugs: Sedatives, Hypnotics, Tranquilizers, etc.
  • Apparently dead: Deep Coma, Electrocution,
    Drowning, Hypothermia, Cachexia, etc.
  • Advances in resuscitation techniques
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What criteria are needed to diagnose death?

A
  • Listen to lungs and heart sounds for 2-5 minutes
  • Feel radial, then carotid pulses
  • Check light reaction in both pupils
  • U n-recordable arterial B.P.
  • Flat ECG & EEG
  • Examine retina with Ophthalmoscope (trucking)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is meant by the manner of death

A

natural or unnatural (suicide, homicide or accident)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is meant by the cause of death

A

underlying lesion(s) responsible for death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is meant by the mechanism of death

A

terminal pathophysiologic event

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the mechanism and manner of death for coronary atherosclerosis, IHD, MI?

A

Mechanism: cardiac arrhythmias, LV failure
Manner: natural

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the mechanism and manner of death for stab/gunshot wounds

A

Mechanism: hypovolemic shock
Manner: homicide, suicide, or accident

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the mechanism and manner of death for hanging

A

Mechanism: asphyxia, reflex cardiac inhibition, cerebral ischemia
Manner: suicide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the mechanism and manner of death for fire death

A

Mechanism: CO intoxication*, hypovolemic shock, injury to vital organs
Manner: accident

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the immediate, early and late post-mortem changes?

A

Immediate: clinical signs of death
Early: primary flaccidity, contact flattening and pallor, cooling, PM rigidity, hypostasis
Late: decomposition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is post-mortem cooling?

A
  • No further heat production
  • Initial plateau 1-2 hours (almost no fall)
  • Steady fall (1-1.5 degrees per hour)
  • Slower fall the final few hours
  • Hot Climate (No Cooling!)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does this image show

A

Hypostasis (lividity)
Contact pallor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does the precipitation of blood inside dependant BV indicate

A

body position during early hours of death (~ up to 10 hours) and if ever changed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does dual distribution of blood precipitation indicate

A

body movement post-mortem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What colour does blood precipitate as

A

Deep purple

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does a blue colour indicate

A

asphyxia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what does a pink colour indicate

A

CO or CN

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What does a faint colour indicate

A

Hemorrhage

20
Q

When is the onset of blood percipitaion

21
Q

When does blood complete precipitation

A

8-12hrs, then do not redistribute

22
Q

What is post-mortem rigidity (rigor mortis)

A

Progressive muscular rigidity affecting both voluntary
and involuntary muscles and replacing primary flaccidity

23
Q

What causes post-mortem rigidity

A

Depletion of ATP in the muscles

24
Q

When is the onset, completion, and depletion of post-mortem rigidity

A

onset: 2-3 hrs
complete: 8-10 hrs
disappear: 18-24 hrs

25
What does post-mortem rigidity depend on
- temperature - muscle activity - age
26
What is decomposition?
final soft tissue breakdown
27
what is the effect of bacterial enzymes post-mortem
disintegration of soft tissues
28
what causes discolouration of the body post-morten
hemolysis
29
what causes distension and bad smell
gases
30
Where do you examine on a dead body
- whole body, including the back - especially: scalp, inner mouth, neck, palm, wrists
31
What do you look for on a dead body
- unusual skin discolouration: cyanosis, hypostasis, bruises, pallor - petechial HGEs: conjunctiva, face, lips, behind ears, and upper chest - inconsitency between PM changes and PM interval - external signs of disease - injection marks (recent/old)
32
What do you see in this image
deep cyanosis
33
What do you see in this image
petechial hemorrhages
34
What do you see in this image
scalp lacerated wound
35
What do you see in this image
inner-lip lacerated wound
36
What do you see in this image
Defensive cut wounds
37
What do you see in this image
CO Poisoning (pink)
38
Determine the cause of death in this image
Asphyxia
39
Determine the cause of death
while sleeping, nosebleed due to gases (bloody froth)
40
Determine the cause of death
hanging with breif suspension
41
Determine the cause of death
Hanging with prolongued suspension
42
*A 5 5-y r-old male was brought dead to ER following an episode of severe chest pain. *He had history of HTN and DM. *External examination revealed a couple of skin abrasions on his left eye brow and tip of nose
ischemic heart disease/myocardial infarction superficial injury to prominent parts from falling
43
* A 19-yr-old man was brought dead to ER by his father. * There was excessive white froth around mouth and nostrils * Examination showed a recent injection mark on his left arm and gangrenous areas on both feet
drug overdose thrombophlebitis (injection mark) heroin overdose (frothing due to pulmonary edema vagal stimulation by morphine)
44
A young man was brought dead to hospital after he was found collapsed in his room by his flat mate. Apparently the deceased was trying to fix the A/C unit in his room. Examination did not show remarkable findings apart from 2 pale dry lesions of 1-2 mm diameter in palm of the right hand
electric injury/burn from electrocution
45
* A young woman was brought to ER by her relatives who gave account of finding her unconscious in her bed * They mentioned that she had history of cardiac illness * Examination did not show any injuries around the extremely pale body, but it was noticed that her underpants were soiled with fresh blood stains and small blood clots
abortion (could be criminal)
46
What are the 4 basic/general ethical principles
1. no maleficence (no harm) 2. beneficence (do good) 3. justice (be fair) 4. respect of autonomy (free decision)

CVS - Forensic Science (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions