Forensics - Death Investigation Flashcards
What is the proximate cause of death?
The actual, true cause of death
What is an example of the proximate cause of death?
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
What is the mechanism of death - “immediate”?
Final pathophysiological event
The actual, true cause of death
Proximate cause of death
Final Pathophysiological event
Mechanism of death (immediate)
What is the manner of death opinion based on?
Everything known about the history of the deceased, the circumstances around the death and the autopsy
In rendering a manner of death, what can be considered?
Anything relevant
What are the manners of death?
NASHU
- Natural
- Accident
- Suicide
- Homicide
- Undetermined
What is an example of an undetermined manner of death?
SIDS
Homicide
Life was taken by another person
Murder
Legal charge
What are the manners of death?
NASHU
- Natural
- Accident
- Suicide
- Homicide
- Undetermined
How does accurate death certification serve the public interest?
Research money is spent on diseases of most significant mortality and morbidity. Accurate death certification is vital in ascertaining the magnitude of disease that are the most concerning to the population!
Who may legitimately certify death in the U.S.?
Natural deaths = Licensed physicians
All other manners of death = legally appointed Medical Examiner, or coroner, or justice-of-the-peace
If there is even a doubt a foul play in a natural death, who will legitimately certify the death in the U.S.?
Medical Examiner!
Rigor Mortis
Stiffening of muscle groups after death
When does Rigor Mortis occur?
Within a few hours but depends on the temperature
Algor Mortis
Cooling of the body after death - rarely done with precision
Liver Mortis
Movement of circulating blood to dependent areas of the body
Stiffening of muscle groups after death
Rigor Mortis
Cooling of the body after death
Algor Mortis
Movement of circulating blood to dependent areas of the body
Liver Mortis
With Liver mortis, after a period of time, lividity becomes?
Fixed
What are 3 types of body decomposition?
- Putrefactive
- Mummification
- Adipocere Formation
Putrefactive body decomposition includes?
Increased discoloration, tissue softening, gas production and bloating
In what temperatures does Putrefactive body decomposition occur?
Occurs in most temperatures
Where does Mummification body decomposition occur?
Dry, arid climates
What is Adipocere Formation?
Death and immersion within a body of water with saponification of epidermal surfaces
Death and immersion within a body of water results in?
Saponification of epidermal surfaces
= Adipocere Formation
Do TV shows use actual realities of forensic capabilities to determine the time of death?
NO
Compared to how they are portrayed, forensic opinions on time of death are?
Rarely as definitive and conclusive
What is time of death based upon?
Body cooling and body decomposition
Time of death is an _____
APPROXIMATION
What is the goal of a Forensic Autopsy?
Render proximate cause of death and manner of death to obtain acquisition of justice
In what settings are forensic autopsies common?
In settings of foul play and trauma
Forensic autopsies spend a lot of time examining?
Wounds!
What is the goal of a Hospital Autopsy?
Evaluate death due to natural causes and document extent or presence of disease
Hospital autopsy occurrence is?
Declining
Do databases, technological capabilities and rapidity of testing match their portrayal?
NO
What do the capabilities of law enforcement and medical examiner facilities depend on?
LOCATION
- Rural vs. Large Urban Areas
Describe the training of a Medical Examiner
PHYSICIAN
- 4 years of medical school
- Usually 4 years of pathology residency
- 1 year forensics fellowship
Medical Examiners DO NOT EQUAL?
Police officers or detectives
In some cases, not including a medical examiner, who is given the legal ability to sign death certificates?
Coroners or Justices-of-the-Peace
Coroners or Justices-of-the-Peace could be?
Physicians
Usually though, are coroners or justices-of-the-peace qualified physicians or people with medical training?
NO
It is important to note that many other NON-physician specialties exist in forensic capabilities. What degree level positions exist?
Ph.D - (“-ology”)
Masters Level
Training based
Who is the legal duty of the medical examiner for?
The Public
Duty of a Medical Examiner?
To the public they serve in a medicolegal/acquisition of justice capacity
