Forensics Week 04

Question 1

What are the two distinct perspectives on death

Answer 1

Natural and Cultural

Question 2

What was death (up to 1970’s)

Answer 2

cessation of circulation and respiration

Question 3

What is the new standard on death

Answer 3

Brain Death is the new standard

Question 4

When does decomposition begin

Answer 4

~4 minutes after death

Question 5

What is autolysis

Answer 5

Self digestion

Question 6

What is algor mortis

Answer 6

Cooling of the body to room temperature. Body will take the shape of things around it. Liver temperature most common for determining overall cooling rates

Question 7

What is livor mortis

Answer 7

discolouration of the body after death due to gravitational settling of the blood. Noticeable after 1 hour, fixed after 8-10

Question 8

What is Rigor Mortis

Answer 8

Loss of ATP after death causes muscle stiffness. Maximum rigor achieved after about 10-12 hours.

Question 9

When is algor mortis most useful

Answer 9

10-12 hours after death

Question 10

What are the 4 stages of decomposition

Answer 10

Fresh
Bloat
Active Decay
Dry Remains

Question 11

What is the time frame for the fresh stage

Answer 11

24 hours after death

Question 12

Characterise the body during the fresh stage

Answer 12

Body may be still warm. Algor mortis may have reduced temp. Livor mortis begins

Question 13

Characterise the body during the Bloat stage

Answer 13

Less intense odour. Abdominal region shows bloating. Green colouration spreads through body

Question 14

What it the time frame for the bloat stage

Answer 14

first few days

Question 15

What is the time frame for active decay

Answer 15

first few weeks to months

Question 16

Characterise the body during active decay

Answer 16

Strong odour. Body bursts. Skin slippage beginning in the face and spreading down body. Body fluid leak. Most insect activity. Stage will be shorted in warming areas

Question 17

What is the time frame for dry decay

Answer 17

few months to several years

Question 18

Characterise dry decay

Answer 18

Removal of soft tissues, skeletal structures left behind. In drier climates, skin may still coat the bones

Question 19

What four factors does decomposition depend on in general

Answer 19

Temperature
Exposure
Local fauna
Moisture levels

Question 20

What is decay like underwater

Answer 20

c. half the rate of bodys normally. Bacteria do the work, faster in swamps, slower in fresh water and slowest in salt water. Adipocere may protect parts of the body. Body will eventually float

Question 21

What is excarnation and how is it done

Answer 21

Removal of organs and flesh, done by cutting away flesh or boiling the body

Question 22

What is a legal reason for death to be established

Answer 22

It is illegal to remove vital organs from live people

Question 23

What is evisceration

Answer 23

Removal of vital organs in order to delay putrefaction