Death Investigation

Question 1

Define the following term:
Cause of death:

Answer 1

The immediate medical condition which causes death

Question 2

Define the following term:
Manner of death:

Answer 2

The circumstances surrounding the death

Question 3

What are the four DETERMINABLE manners of death?

Answer 3

1. natural
2. accident
3. suicide
4. homicide

Question 4

What is meant by an “undetermined” manner of death?

Answer 4

It means that there is not enough evidence to clearly categorize the death as either natural, accidental, suicide or homicide.

Question 5

True or False, Every death scene should be treated as a homicide until proven otherwise.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

True or False: A medicolegal death investigation may but does not always mean an autopsy must be conducted.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

When is a documented medicolegal death investigation required?

Answer 7

Anytime a death is sudden, violent or unnatural. It is also required in unattended deaths.

Question 8

What is the difference between an “autopsy” and a “necropsy”?

Answer 8

An autopsy is a post mortem dissection of a human body
A necropsy is a post mortem dissection of a non-mortem body (such as an animal)

Question 9

What is the difference between a “forensic autopsy” and a “clinical autopsy”?

Answer 9

In a clinical autopsy, the cause and manner of death (natural) is already known. The autopsy is done only to study the extent of the disease and to collect samples to be used for medical research. A forensic autopsy is done when the cause and manner of death is not known. As much attention is given to the examination of the outside of the body as is given to the inside of the body. Also the neck and throat are always dissected.

Question 10

What are four categories of deaths where an autopsy is mandatory in Iowa?

Answer 10

1. all child deaths
2. all workplace deaths
3. all transportation related deaths
4. all unattended deaths

Question 11

What is the difference between a coroner and a medical examiner?

Answer 11

A medical examiner is an actual doctor (MD or DO); a coroner is an elected position and does not require any medical degree

Question 12

Are deaths in Iowa investigated under a coroner system or a medical examiner system?

Answer 12

Iowa is a 100% medical examiner system

Question 13

Define the following terms:
Ambient temperature:

Answer 13

The temperature of the immediate surroundings

Question 14

Define the following terms:
Tache noir:

Answer 14

Dark lines that form on the eyes from the drying of the corneas

Question 15

Define the following terms:
Rigor mortis:

Answer 15

Stiffening of the muscles after death due to the depletion of ATP from cells

Question 16

Define the following terms:
Cadaveric spasm:

Answer 16

Instantaneous rigor mortis

Question 17

Define the following terms:
Livor mortis:

Answer 17

The pooling of the blood due to gravity after death

Question 18

Define the following terms:
Algor mortis:

Answer 18

The cooling of the body until it reaches ambient temperature

Question 19

Define the following terms:
ATP:

Answer 19

The main molecule that provides energy in your cells

Question 20

Define the following terms:
Arrector pili muscles:

Answer 20

Smallest muscles in the body; located around each hair follicle

Question 21

Define the following terms:
Vitreous humor:

Answer 21

Fluid inside the eyeball; can measure potassium levels to help determine time of death

Question 22

What are the average time frames for rigor mortis to form and then go away?

Answer 22

Rigor mortis starts to form about 30 minutes after death. It will be fully set by 12 hours and full rigor will last for 24 hours. Rigor will disappear by 36 hours.

Question 23

What are defensive injuries? What can the pathologist learn from defensive injuries?

Answer 23

Defensive injuries are injuries sustained by the victim from fending off an attack. The pathologist can learn about the size and shape of the weapon from these injuries.

Question 24

What is the average time frame for the stomach to empty its contents into the small intestine?

Answer 24

3 hours

Question 25

Fill in the blank:
If the small intestine is empty, it means the person has not eaten in —-

Answer 25

1 day.

Question 26

Fill in the blank: If the large intestine in empty, it means the person has not in approximately —–

Answer 26

3 days.

Question 27

Fill in the blank:
Decomposition is also known as ——

Answer 27

putrefaction

Question 28

What is the main chemical gas produced during the process of decomposition?

Answer 28

Hydrogen sulfide

Question 29

Where in the body does decomposition start?

Answer 29

intestines

Question 30

What is the LAST organ to decompose?

Answer 30

uterus

Question 31

What is purge fluid?

Answer 31

Purge fluid is fluid that is in the respiratory tract or the rectum which is then forced out of the body (through the mouth/nose or rectum) due to the formation of gasses from decomposition

Question 32

List two factors that can affect the rate of decomposition:

Answer 32

1. the ambient temperature
2. the volume of blood in the body

Question 33

Define the following terms:
Adipocere:

Answer 33

Waxy substance formed from the breakdown of fatty acids when a body decomposes in a cold water environment

Question 34

Define the following terms:
Mummification:

Answer 34

The drying of a decomposing body so that the skin becomes “leather like”. Occurs in hot, dry environment.

Question 35

Define the following terms:
Pugilistic attitude:

Answer 35

“Boxer’s stance” that occurs in bodies that are exposed to the extremely high temperatures of fire. Due to the contraction of muscles due to high heat