DEATH INVESTIGATION

Question 1

WHAT IS NATURAL CAUSE VS ACCIDENTAL Manner of Death

Answer 1

NATURAL- Caused by interruption and failure of body functions
-by age or disease
-most common

ACCIDENTAL- Caused by unplanned events
-car accident, falling from ladder

Question 2

Different types of Manner of Death

Answer 2

Suicide, Homicide, Undetermined

Question 3

TIME OF DEATH

Answer 3

RATE METHOD: presence/absence of an indicator in deceased

Question 4

concurrence method

Answer 4

evaluation of events at or near time of death

Question 5

What happens when you die?

Answer 5

Heart stops beating and pumping blood to the body organ systems, organs, tissues and cell

Breathing ceases ( no exchange of oxygen or carbon dioxide

Question 6

Algor Mortis

Answer 6

After death, the body cools from its normal internal temperature of 98.6 to the surrounding temperature

Average cooling rate of

Question 7

What is the average cooling rate of a dead body

Answer 7

1.5 F HOUR

Question 8

VARIABLES THAT AFFECT Algor mortis

Answer 8

Body fat, clothing, air temperature

Question 9

What is Rigor Mortis

Answer 9

The muscles of the corpse become stiff and the body is frozen in position

Question 10

What is the initial onset

Answer 10

3-4 hours after death
-starts in the jaw, neck and spreads down the body

Question 11

What is complete rigor
when does rigor end

Answer 11

12-18 hours after death

Rigor ends 24-36 hours after death

Question 12

FACTORING AFFECTING RIGOR MORTIS

Answer 12

Temperature
Illness
Activity before death
Physical conditions of where body is found

Question 13

Livor Mortis

Answer 13

After the heart stops, blood is pulled by gravity and sinks to the lowest part of the body, this causes purplish discoloration

Question 14

When does Livor Mortis Start

Answer 14

2 hours after death- remains for 12 hours (becomes fixed or non-blanchable 8-12 hours post-death