Forensic pathology

Question 1

What is the role of a medical examiner?

Answer 1

1. Death certification
2. Epidemiological data collection
3. Analysis of violence
4. Support of bereaved

Question 2

List 4 reportable deaths to the medical examiner

Answer 2

1. Sudden death of a healthy individual under the age of 60
2. Death unattended by a practicing physician
3. Death in legal custody
4. Death associated with diagnostic or therapeutic procedures

Question 3

What are the five categories of deaths?

Answer 3

Natural
Accident
Suicide
Homicide
Undetermined

Question 4

Describe the evolution of the ME system

Answer 4

1. Coroner appointed by the governor
2. Coroner is replaced by a medical examiner
3. Formal ME system formed
4. Forensic pathologist role is added to the system
5. NH now has a statewide ME system

Question 5

Describe the process of a death investigation

Answer 5

ID of individual
Time of death
Evidence recognition
interagency cooperation

Question 6

What is rigor mortis

Answer 6

stiffening of muscles (18-24 hrs)

Body loosens again at 36 hrs as muscle proteins begin to degrade

Question 7

What is livor mortis?

Answer 7

Purple color on the skin from the settling of blood in lower tissues. occurs at the 8-10 hr range

If livor is fluid, means blood can be moved around.

Question 8

What is algor mortis?

Answer 8

Temperature change in the body

Question 9

What is the difference between putrefaction and mummification?

Answer 9

1. putrefaction involves degradation under wet conditions, with lots of bacteria
2. mummification occurs under dry conditions with little bacteria

Question 10

What are the components of autopsy?

Answer 10

1. external vs internal
2. histology
3. toxicology
4. neuropathology
5. Was this a violent of natural death?

Question 11

Medicolegal masquerades?

Answer 11

When actual cause of death does not match whhat was originally suspected

Question 12

What are the different classes for pathological fiindings for determining cause of death upon autopsy?

Answer 12

Class I=pathologica findings inconsistent with life
Class II=pathologic findings explain death, but noot to the level of class I
Class III=Minimal pathologic findings but compelling history
Class IV= Traceless lethal disorder with no morphologic abnormalities--but documented history
Class V=undetermined

Question 13

Which is the only witness that can offer opinions rather than statements of the facts?

Answer 13

The expert witness

Question 14

What is the main goal fo forensic pathology?

Answer 14

1. Ensure that the guilty are found guilty

2. Ensure that the innocent are NOT found guilty

Question 15

What are the 5 classical mistakes that a forensic pathologist might make?

Answer 15

1. Unaware of autopsy objectives
2. Incomplete autopsy
3. Embalming prior to autopsy
4. misinterpretation
5. deeming mutilated bodies unsuitable for autopsy

Question 16

What are signs of putrefaction?

Answer 16

1. Decay
2. Discoloration
3. Epidermal slough
4. bullae
5. marbling
6. gas bloating
7. foul odor