Forensics Flashcards
What are the three major events that occur after the heart stops beating?
Livor mortis (pooling of blood) Rigor mortis (muscle contracture due to lack of ATP) Algor mortis (cooling of body)
How long has the body been dead?
- ) Warm, not stiff
- ) Warm, stiff
- ) Cold, stiff
- ) Cold, not stiff
- ) <3 hours
- ) 3-8 hours
- ) 8-36 hours
- ) >36 hours
What is putrefactive decomposition?
most common, occurs in warm places
bacteria mediated from the cecum
RLQ discoloration (green)
What is adipocere decomposition?
happens when body is submerged in water
lipid decomposition resulting in wax covering of body
What is mummification?
happens in dry climates or if body is in a pit bog
What is Manner of Death?
Judicial opinion
NASHU (Natural, Accident, Suicide, Homicide, Undetermined)
Who can certify MoD in unnatural causes?
Forensic pathologists or anyone with a certification (justice of peace)
What is Cause of Death?
Initiator event (either natural or injury) that leads to death determined by autopsy
Which one is a cause of death and a description of death?
GSW
CP Arrest
COD: CSW
Description: CP Arrest
Why would you conduct a forensic exam?
if suspecting or ruling out an unnatural cause of death/foul play
Why do hospitals have less than 5% autopsy rate?
time consuming
expensive
don’t wanna risk finding an undiagnosed dz and get sued (everyone but the ME can get sued)
Does the ME have a duty to the family?
No, ME duty is to society
What are the types of blunt force injuries?
Abrasion
Laceration
Contusion
What is an abrasion?
epidermis injury caused by friction scraping or crushing
oozes blood but not a lot
heals and forms scab
What is a brush abrasion?
- scrape (caused by gliding/sliding force)
- rolls of tissue opposite to the direction of the force (scraping the skin to that direction)
What is a patterned abrasion?
looks like the appearance of an object that contacted the epidermis
What are lacerations?
irregular tear on skin or organ caused by blunt force trauma
What are contusions?
soft tissue hemorrhage from ruptured blood vessels without epidermal breakage
What factors determine the severity of a contusion?
amount of force applied
tissue vascularity
type of tissue (more severe if tissue is loose)
location (more easy bruising if over bone)
older age/comorbidities (more easy bruising)
How can you “age” a contusion?
Yellow bruise = 18 hours or older
What are incise wounds?
injuries that is deeper than it is longer, longer than a puncture (which is rounded and deeper than it is wider)
made by sharp object
What type of incise wounds do ice picks make?
What type of incise wounds do single edged blades make?
What type of incise wounds do double edged blades make?
- appears like shotgun pellet wound
- triangle shaped
- rounded diamond shaped
Why do long guns and bigger bullets cause more damage?
Faster velocity, even if the bullet is bigger
How would you determine if a GSW to the head is entry or exit wound?
Entry wound: wounds the outer table of the skull
Exit wound: wounds the inner table of the skull
