DNA forensics Flashcards
What are the Post-mortem Changes?
Pallor Mortis (Paleness)
Livor Mortis (Bluish color)
Algor Mortis (Coldness)
Rigor Mortis (Stiffness)
Eye changes.
Putrefaction
Mummification
Pallor mortis(30 min)
Pallor mortis results from the collapse of capillarycirculation throughout the body.
-The first stage of death, is an after-death paleness that occurs in those with light/white skin.
-Occurs almost immediately, generally within 15–25 minutes after death.
-No use in determining the time of death, aside from saying that it happened less than 30 minutes ago.
Livor mortis(fixed after 8 hours)
Hypostasis is the second stage of death.
-After Pallor Mortis, gravitythen causes the blood to sink down into the lower parts of the body except the independent part.
-starts in 20–30 minutes, but it is usually not observable by the human eye until 2 hours after death in independent parts of the dead body.
-It can be fixed in its place after 8 hours.
Medicolegal of hypostasis
1.Sure sign of death.
2.Rough estimation of time of death.
3.Detection if the position of the body has been changed after death or not.
4.Identification of possible cause of death through color and site.
Algor Mortis (after 18–24hours)
1- The third stage of death, is the post-mortem gradual decrease in body temperature, until it equalizes the temperature of the surrounding environment.
2- is the result of a cessation inthermoregulation. As body temperature is controlled by thehypothalamus
Factors affecting Algor Mortis (Body Cooling)
1-Body temperature.
2-Body weight: The rate of cooling will be slower in an obese body.
3-Temperature of the environmental surroundings: The rate of cooling will increase in a body immersed in water, a naked body, and a thin body( elder and babies).
4-Clothes worn by cadaver: If the body is wearing clothes
Rigor Mortis (Appears after 2 hours)
-is the fourth stage of death, resulting in the stiffening of the body muscles due to chemical changes in their myofibrils.
-helps in estimating the time since death as well to ascertain if the body had been moved after death.
- (disappears after 12-36 hours)
Primary flaccidity( lasts between 2-6 hours)
-General relaxation of the entire muscular system immediately after death, lasts between 2-6 hours.
-Starts before rigor mortis
-There is respond to electrical & mechanical stimuli
Secondary flaccidity (occurs 18-24 hours after death )
1- Complete relaxation of the body muscles, occurs 18-24 hours after death
2- Follows rigor mortis
3- No respond to electrical & mechanical stimuli.
What is Cadaveric spasm?
1- is a rare form of muscular stiffening that occurs at the moment of deathand persists into the period of rigor mortis.
2- stronger stiffening of the muscles than rigor mortis.
3- It is neurogenic in nature and means the death occurred in intense physical and/or emotional activity.
Eyes changes
1-The clear glistening appearance of the cornea is lost, the cornea appears dry, cloudy and opaque.
2-The light reflex is lost.
3-The intraocular tension falls and the eye balls become flaccid and sink into the orbit.
4-The blood stream in the retinal vessels becomes segmented.
5-Taches noire (3 hr after death)
Mummification
is a modification of the putrefaction process, characterized by the dehydration of the cadaveric tissues.
Asphyxia
can be defined as the condition of deficient supply of oxygento the body, which arises from abnormal breathing.
What are the main kinds of asphyxia?
1-Mechanical asphyxia
2-Traumatic asphyxia
3-Perinatal (birth) asphyxia
4-Compressive (compression) asphyxia
1-Mechanical asphyxia
when an object or a physical force stops you from breathing. It also includes body positions