Forensics Flashcards
What is proximate cause of death?
Actual true cause of death (legal definition)
What is the mechanism of death?
Final pathophysiologic event (sometimes called immediate)
What is the manner of death?
Based upon everything known about the hx of the deceased, the circumstances surrounding their death and all elements of the autopsy
What are the categories for manner of death?
Natural (death due to disease or disorder; not due to foul play) Accident Suicide Homicide Undetermined
What is the difference between homicide and murder?
Homicide is the life of the descendent was taken by a person or entity
Murder is a law enforcement/legal charge
Who can certify a natural death?
Any licensed physician
Who must investigate other manners of death such as homicide?
Legally appointed medical examiner physicians or certain jurisdictions, coroners, or justices of the peace
If a death appears to be natural but there is doubt or foul play who must evaluate the decedent?
The ME
What is rigor mortis?
Stiffening of muscle groups after death
Tends to occur within hours but manifestations are modified (slowed or accelerated) by ambient and/or fluctuating temps
What is algor mortis?
Cooling of the body after death
Possibly relevant and calculable based upon a steady known ambient temperature
Rarely can be done with great precision
What is livor mortis?
Movement of circulating blood to dependent areas of the body
After a period of time lividity becomes fixed
Can be useful in ascertaining movement of a body within or from the place of death
What are the major forms of body decomposition?
Putrefactive, mummification, adipocere formation
What is putrefactive decomposition?
Typically occurs in most temperature settings
Increasing features of discoloration, tissue softening/liquefaction, gas production and body bloating
What is mummification decomposition?
In very dry and climate settings
What is adipocere formation?
Death and immersion within a body of water with saponification of epidermal surfaces
What is the goal of forensic autopsy?
To render a proximate cause and manner of death via a careful medicolegal investigation employed to obtain the acquisition of justice in the service of the public
What is the goal of a hospital autopsy?
Centers upon documenting extent of natural disease or the existence of disease that may have contributed to death but was undiagnosed prior to patient demise
The duty of an ME is to who?
The public they serve in a medicolegal/acquisition of justice capacity
What are abrasions?
Damage to overlying skin/epidermis
What are lacerations?
Splitting of skin with hemorrhagic bridges in depths
Always caused by blunt force
What are contusions?
Intact skin with hemorrhage bridges in depths
Often due to blunt force
What are incise wounds?
Generally due to edged instruments such as razors, knives, etc
The appearance of a yellow color on a contusion is typically associated with what?
A contusion over 18 hours old
What does range refer to?
The distance of the end of the gun barrel from the entry wound on the individual
What are contact/close wounds?
Marginal abrasion
Soot/gun powder in the depths of the wound
Contact may have muzzle or sight burn stigmata
Describe intermediate wounds
More emerges from the end of the firearm than the bullet
Powder tattooing or stippling occurs (powder from around the bullet burns onto the skin)
Describe a distant wound
Marginal abrasion
No surrounding depositions
Depths of the wound are clean of particles, dirt and soot
Describe an entry wound
Outer table sharply circumscribed
Inner table beveled
Describe an exit wound
Inner table sharply circumscribed
Outer table beveled
