DiMaio Flashcards
What is forensic pathology?
- branch of medicine that applies the medical sciences to problems of the law
What are the duties of a forensic pathologist?
- define cause and manner of death
- identify deceased
- determine the time of death
- collect evidence
- document natural disease
- determine contributory factors to death
- provide testimony for trials
What is the difference between cause of death and mechanism of death?
- cause - injury/disease that produces physiological derangement that results in death
- mechanism - the physiological derangement which is produced
What are the manners of death?
- natural
- homicide
- suicide
- accident
- undetermined
What are the factors used in determining time of death?
- Livor mortis - discoloration (onset 1/2-2 hours)
- Rigor mortis - stiffening (onset 2-4 hours)
- Body temperature
- Degree of decomposition - coloration of skin (green early - black later)
- Chemical changes in vitreous
- Stomach contents
- Insect activity
- Scene markers
What are some common causes of natural death which would require a medical examiner?
- sudden cardiomyopathy
- CNS disorders
- Respiratory disease
What are the causes of death associated with pregnancy?
- ruptured ectopic pregnancy
- embolism
- pre-eclampsia, eclampsia
- infection
What are the major divisions of blunt force injuries?
- abrasions - removal of superficial epidermis
- contusions - hemorrhage into soft tissue
- lacerations - tear in tissue caused by shearing or crushing force
- fractures
What are characteristics of a stab wound?
- depth of wound exceeds length of skin torn
- most are due to a single edge knife (V pattern)
- can leave a secondary tract
What are characteristics of an incised wound?
- cuts by sharp edged weapons
- wound has clean cut straight edges without contusion
- longer than deep
- possible hesitation marks (self inflicted)
What are characteristics of a chop wound?
- produced by heavy instruments with cutting edge
- combination of incision and laceration
What are some characteristics of asphyxial death?
- petechiae - pinpoint hemorrhage
- visceral congestion
- cyanosis
What are the characteristics of death by suffocation?
- mechanical obstruction of external airways/choking
- inability to breath
What are the characteristics of death by strangulation?
- due to cerebral hypoxia by stopping blood supply to the brain
- done by hanging, ligature or manual strangulation
Discuss SIDS.
- sudden unexpected death of an healthy infant (less than 1y/o)
- diagnosis of exclusion
- usually occurs during sleep
