forensic pathology Flashcards
Pathology
- A medical Specialty
- study of the structural and morphological changes to the body as a result of a disease state
- often called Anatomic Pathology
Forensic Pathology
Determination of cause an manner of death in cases of susicious, unexplained, or violent deaths
- about 1/3 of all deaths
- whitney houston, mark anthony
Forensic Pathologists
- Primarily determine cause of death
- also review past medical history
- better understand how it could have influenced that death
Pathologists first appeared in the
Mid 19th century
what instruments propelled this study by the examination of tissues
microscope
Pathology is derrived from?
Pathos: Suffering or disease
Logos: word or writting
Dr. Henry fisher
Pathologist C. 1890
pittsburg or penstate
looking through micrscope what got forensic patholgy going
normal vs disease tissue morphology
Duties of Forensic pathologist
- Determine the identity of the deceased
- determine the apparent cause and manner of death
- determine or estimate the post- mortem Interval (PMI)
Autopsies
Autopsy- to look at oneself
necropsy- to look at the dead
- autopsies have been practiced since the middle ages
- the term atuopsy is generally used in the us
rather than necropsy for dead animals
Autopsy Process
- Proceeds in logical manner form the outside to the inside (patholgists often dictates finidings during the autopsy)
- Examines the body to determine cause and manner of death (also searches the body for physical evidence which can yeild clues to the indentiy of the deceased, if unknown.)
Autopsy
Jasmine Fiore
discovered in a suitcase in a trash dump, her fingers and teeth were removed
x boyfriend killed her then hung himself
Autopsy Process (external examination)
detailed examination of the entire body is made
- all wounds and trauma are noted
- body is photographed clothed and unclothed
Autopsy Process (external examination ) #2
assesment of wounds
- objects may have caused death are removed
- x-rays are taken
- nail gun example
Autopsy Process (internal Examination)
- incisions created in the chest, abdomen and head
- Removal of organs form those areas of the body
- T shaped incisioin is typically used
- facilitates examination of the neck
Brain Removal
Incision from behind one ear to behind the other ear
- scalp is pulled upward and backward
- skull is sawed circullary
- Brain may be disected immediately, or placed in formaldehyde to preserve tissue for better examination
Other internal organs are removed and ______
weighed
Organs are dissected in order to determine
Disease or injury
examples of extensive dissection and removal
child abuse, blunt trauma
Obtaining appropriate specimens
Toxicolgy requires specimens for testing
- blood is taken from the aorta and else where
- bile is taken from the gall bladder
- urine from bladder taken with hyperdermic needle
Specimens tested for drugs
Blood, urine, liver, kidney, and brain specimens
Tested for alcohol
Blood
other factors to consider
medical history, witness statements, scene examintion, and autopsy may be used to search for other drugs
Microscopic examination
- small portions of organs are put in formaldehyde (preserves them for study)
- diseased or injured sections of tissue are taken (normal tissue is taken, for comparison)
- tissue is encased in parrafin and is mounted on slides (examined under a light microscope)
Most pathologists preserves specimens of tissue for ______?
DNA analysis
-must not be stored in formaldehyde for to long (DNA becomes hydrolyized and become unsuitable for study)
Patters Of Injury: Classification of Violent deaths
1) Mechanical
2) Thermal
3) Electrical
4) Chemical
Violent Deaths : Mechanical Causes
- most common types of violent deaths
- eg. stabbing or gunshot
Two Types of Mechanical Causes
1) Sharp Force Injuries: causes an incised wound, relatively sharp edges
2) Blunt Force Injuries: cause a laceration, has rough edges
Firearm Injuries is what type of of injury?
Blunt Force Injury
-Different injury patterns (bullet vs. pellets)
T or F
High speed bullets from rifles cause more damage than low speed pellets from shotguns or pistols?
True
Perforating wounds
wounds that either enter or exit the body
Firearm Injuries: Gunshot wound Types
1) Contact
2) Intermediate
3) Distant
Contact Gun Shot wounds
- gun pressed next to body and discharged
- entry wound shows blackening and swelling form release of hot gasses
- often causes laceration
Intermediate Gun shot wound
unburned and partially burned propellant lodged in the skin
Distant Gun Shot wound
No stipplings
Interruption of oxygen to the brain is
Asphyxia
Asyphyxia leas to a low level of oxygen in the brain which is called a (Cerebral Hypoxia)
True
Asphixia may be caused by
1) drowning
2) suffocation (smoothering) (auto erotic)
3) Stragulation
- manual (using hands)
- non manual ( by ligature)
4) Inhalation of toxic chemicals (not common)
Air Concentrations
Nitrogen=76% Argon=1% oxygen:21% normal air 21% 10-15% judgement/ coordination impaired 10% loss of consciousness 8% death
Drowning
Death from asphyxiation due to immersion in water or other liquid
- Almost always accidental
- Leading cause of death in children under age of 5
- Generally a dignosis of exclusion
