Forensic Pathology Flashcards
What are the 2 types of post mortem
Hospital (in an unknown diagnosis)
Fiscal (legally required by the police)
What is sudden death
Death within 24 hours from the onset of symptoms
Reversible causes of cardiac arrest
4 H’s
- Hypoxia
- Hypovolaemia
- Hypo/hyperkalaemia
- Hypothermia
4 T’s
- Thrombosis (coronary/pulmonary)
- Tamponade
- Toxins
- Tension pneumothorax
What are non suspicious causes of hypoxia
Asthma Pneumothorax Respiratory obstruction Respiratory depression Aspiration
What are suspicious causes of hypoxia
Respiratory construction Drug related
Drowning
What are some suspicious signs of respiratory obstruction (hanging)
Oblique mark around the neck
What are non suspicious causes of hypovolaemia
Upper GI haemorrhage
Lower GI haemorrhage
Haemoperitoneum
Trauma
What are suspicious causes of hypovolaemia
Trauma
Stabbings
Shootings
What is a common cause of sudden death when someone has been clearing snow off of their drive way?
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
What are non suspicious causes of hypo/hyperkalaemia
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Alcoholic ketoacidosis
Toxins
What are non suspicious causes of hypothermia
exposure to cold
Alcoholic
Drugs
Underlying medical disease
What are suspicious causes of hypothermia
Exposure to cold
Water
Neglect
Forced out side
What are Wischnewski ulcers a sign of
hypothermia
What are non-suspicious causes of thrombosis
Atherosclerosis
Pulmonary venous thrombosis
Embolism from deep vein thrombosis
Paradoxical emboli
What are suspicious causes of thrombosis
Deaths in custody
One punch
“Scared to death”
