Death scenes and body recovery Flashcards

Question

Anatomical pathology technician

Answer 1

Assists the pathologist with technical aspects of the PM Is a mortuary employee Hands equipment such as scalpels and knives to the Pathologist Assists with the preparation of the body and weighing the organs Sews the body up and may undertake reconstruction Careers guidance if you are interested in this role -career path with defined training courses

Answer 2

Responsible for the cataloguing and continuity of exhibits in a major enquiry Ensure the exhibits are stored in the MIT storage system At the end of the PM will take all packaged and labelled exhibits from the pathologist via the clean CSI All exhibits are logged onto HOLMES

Answer 3

Will brief the pathologist on the background of the case Will create forensic strategy Will usually provide scene photographs Will discuss with the pathologist the required samples and seek advice where required Will arrange staff and logistics from scientific support Will feed back to MIT and the SIO results and findings

Answer 4

Facilitates the pathologist by providing appropriate items for samples being recovered Must be aware of the item that the pathologist will require and have it immediately available – can pay to be one step ahead This can be dirty work They pass these items into bags held by the clean CSI, so external packaging is not contaminated

Answer 5

Scribe for pathologist Records the exhibits list Writes up all evidence bags for the pathologist to sign at the end Ensures the correct exhibits from the dirty CSI are in the right bags and sealed/packaged correctly Ensures continuity from exhibits officer Should provide storage advice Must ensure copies of exhibit list are made for pathologist and CSM Prevents contamination of external packaging

Answer 6

Wear PPE Overshoes or mortuary wellies Gloves Masks

Answer 7

Time consuming Requires concentration, standing around waiting and other tiring activities Can be exhausting, smelly and dirty

Answer 8

Swabs may be taken from orifices including the nostrils, mouth, vagina and anus Fingernail scrapings or clippings may be taken

Answer 9

Hair samples and combings will be taken Hair packaged in TE bag

Answer 10

The body will then be washed down to enable clear view of injuries Each visible injury will be measured, described, recorded (by the pathologist) and photographed Areas such as the eyes, mouth and genital area checked for injuries

Answer 11

The genital areas will be dissected, and further swabs may be taken The neck and throat will be dissected Samples will be taken for histology Samples will be taken for DNA (blood) and toxicology (blood and urine) The dirty CSI will ensure the correct vials are used to decant the blood and urine samples into

Answer 12

Skin discolouration resulting from the gravitational pooling of blood in the veins and capillaries of the dependent parts of the body

Answer 13

If body is moved before the onset of rigor then the joints will become fixed in the new position in which the body is placed.

Answer 14

Environmental temp. Degree of muscular activity before death Rapid onset in children and the aged than in muscular young adults. Develops early and passes quickly in deaths from infections or from wasting diseases.

Answer 15

Instantaneous Rigor (rigidity) Muscular rigidity at the moment of death Cause is unknown but associated with violent deaths in intense emotions Most commonly affects a group of muscles only

Answer 16

Skin blisters Gas formation begins Purging of urine, faeces and bloody fluids

Answer 17

Blunt Penetrating Blast

Answer 18

Linear fracture Pond fracture Depressed fracture Hinge fracture