Forensic Examiner

Question 1

5 manners of death

Answer 1

natural, accident, suicide, homicide, undetermined

Question 2

scene investigation

Answer 2

“patient history”

identification, time of death, evidence recognition,

Question 3

how are most identifications made?

Answer 3

teeth

compare dental records w/ missing persons

Question 4

time of death estimates

Answer 4

early post mortem changes- hours to 1 day

rigor mortis, livor mortis (blood settles), algor mortis (body temp), ocular changes (pacification)

late changes

putrefaction, mummification, infestation, skeletonization adipocere

Question 5

putrefaction

Answer 5

initial decay- flies lay eggs around wounds and in mucosal surfaces. takes 3 weeks to hatch

colonic bacteria produce fluids and gasses

Question 6

anthropophagy

Answer 6

body is eaten by animals

Question 7

autopsy

Answer 7

external/internal examination
histologic examination
toxicology/chemistry/serology
neuropathology
consultation as appropriate
violent versus natural death

Question 8

what kills infants?

Answer 8

infections or undiagnosed heart disease

Question 9

what kills adolescents?

Answer 9

asthma, IV drug use

Question 10

what kills over 40?

Answer 10

MI, stroke, pulmonary embolism

Question 11

different classes of findings

Answer 11

class 1- findings inconsistent w/ life
class 2- findings explain deaths, but not to level of class 1
class 3- minimal findings, compelling history, exclusion of other causes
class 4- traceless lethal disorders w/o morphologic abnormalities, good history, exclusion of other causes
class 5- undetermined

Question 12

mortiz mistakes

Answer 12

not being aware of the autopsy
performing incomplete autopsy
permitting embalming prior to autopsy
regarding mutilated body unsuitable for autopsy
nonrecognition of post mortem changes
failing to adequately examine and describe abnormalities
not examining the body at the scene
not taking pictures
using intuition not evidence
talking too soon, too much or to the wrong people