Forensic Pathology Flashcards
What is Locards Principle?
Every contact leaves a trace in some form (e.g. hair, blood, saliva, fibers, etc…)
Who is the GMC and their function?
General Medical Council protects, promotes, and maintains the health of the public by ensuring proper standard in medical practice.
What other regulatory bodies are present in the medical field?
Home office, pathology delivery board, etc…
What is the Human Tissue Act?
Regulates the removal, storage, use and disposal of relevant material.
How is the crime scene investigated by a forensic pathologist in terms of enviroment and the body?
Enviroment; what is in the surrounding area of the body? Are they outdoors or indoors? Etc…
Body; what is happening with the body? Is it clothed? Position of the body?
What is blood spatter analysis?
The analysis of blood patterns on objects and/or bodies.
How is blood spatter analysis used?
BSA is used by invetsigators to piece together a scenario of which a suspicious death may have occured. (e.g. Hand/Foot Print, Angle of spatter)
What does the coroner investigate?
Unexpected deaths on a ‘balance of probabilities’ basis
What does the forensic team investiage?
Suspcious deaths/criminal investigation on a ‘beyond all reasonable doubt’ basis
What is the role of an autopsy?
Provides adequte samples for identification, documentation, establishing manner and cause of death, etc..
What kind of external samples are taken?
Hair, nails, sexual swabs
What kind of internal samples are taken?
Blood, urine, organs
How might a body be identified?
Visual identification(face), Fingerprints, teeth, DNA
How is a body externally documented?
Documented information from external observation include: Build, Height/weight, injuries, postpartum changes.
What are the three postpartum changes that occur?
Putrefaction; decomposition changes
Hypostasis; blood pooling
Rigor mortis; stiffness
Name a few types of injuries.
Sharp Blunt Patterns Resus. Enviorment Gunshot
What is the role of a forensic pathologist in court?
An independant expert witness brought on for the court.
How does the enviroment cause injury or death? Interpretation?
Heat; can be caused by fire, smoke inhalation(if patient is alive, soot is found in trachea), CO, burns
Water; death in water(natural or accident?) or death in land(fall in or dumped?).
Cold; Hypothermia
How does resusitation cause injury or death? Interpretation?
Attempted resusitation can cause oral/nasal injuries, fractures, and puncture wounds which should be ruled out from possible assault injuries.
How do guns cause injury or death? Interpretation?
The type of gunshot wound can be analysed and infered from the corresponding ammo which is used in a certain type of gun allowing for the identification of the weapon used
