FINALS Flashcards
caused by the failure of cells to receive or utilize oxygen
ASPHYXIAL DEATH
partial deprivation of oxygen
HYPOXIA
total deprivation of oxygen
ANOXIA
Due to obstructed venous return and capillovenous congestion.
VISCERAL CONGESTION
Are pinpoint hemorrhages produced by rupture of small vessels, predominantly small venules.
PETECHIAE
Routinely seen in the reflected scalp in all types of death and are of no diagnostic significance in this area.
PETECHIAE
if the petechiae become larger or confluent.
ECCHYMOSES
Nonspecific and caused by an increase in the amount of reduced hemoglobin. It does not become observable until at least 5g of reduced hemoglobin is present.
CYANOSIS
the result of a high rate of fibrinolysis that occurs in rapid deaths, possibly by high agonal levels of catecholamines.
POSTMORTEM FLUIDITY OF BLOOD
CATEGORIES OF ASPHYXIAL DEATH (3)
SUFFOCATION
STRANGULATION
CHEMICAL ASPHYXIA
Failure of oxygen to reach the blood
STRANGULATION
GENERAL FORMS OF SUFFOCATION (6)
- Entrapment/environmental suffocation
- Smothering
- Choking
- Mechanical Asphyxia
- Mechanical Asphyxia combined with Smothering
- Suffocating Gases
caused by inadequate oxygen in the environment.
Almost exclusively accidental in nature.
ENTRAPMENT/ ENVIRONMENTAL SUFFOCATION
HERE, Suicide and homicide by entrapment are rare, but do occur.
ENTRAPMENT
This deficiency is not due to displacement of the oxygen by suffocating gases, but rather that the oxygen has been depleted.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUFFOCATION
atmosphere percentage by volume of oxygen
20.946%
underground chamber percentage by volume of O2
9.6%
cause of death cannot be determined by autopsy alone, because there are no specific findings.
DEATH DUE TO entrapment or environmental suffocation
caused by the mechanical obstruction or occlusion of the external airways
SMOTHERING
Usually either homicide or suicide, very rarely accident
SMOTHERING
Most common form of suicidal smothering.
PLASTIC BAG OVER HEAD
