LECTURE 12: PATHOLOGY

Question 1

exhumation

Answer 1

Retrieval of a previously buried body for post mortem examination.

Question 2

mechanism of death

Answer 2

the specific physiological derangement that actually led to the cessation of life.

Question 3

manner of death

Answer 3

circumstances surrounding the fatal event (Natural or Violent)

Question 4

cause of death

Answer 4

disease or trauma

Question 5

4 manners of death

Answer 5

homicide
suicide
accidental
natural

Question 6

exsanguination

Answer 6

death from severe loss of blood (usually sharp force)

Question 7

contusion

Answer 7

accumulation of blood in the tissues outside the normal blood vessels (usually blunt force)

Question 8

hematoma

Answer 8

an extreme contusion, blood tumour or contusion with more blood

Question 9

asphyxia

Answer 9

body deprived of oxygen (brain is most susceptible organ)
• suffocation
• strangulation
• chemical asphyxiation – oxygen replaced by some other gas such as CO2

Question 10

rigor mortis

Answer 10

the stiffening of the body after death due to membranes of muscles become more permeable to calcium ions

begins 2-6 hours after death and releases after 24 hours

Question 11

livor mortis

Answer 11

settling of blood due to gravity after the heart no longer circulates it through the body - purplish skin discoloration

• begins an hour after death and peaks in about 3-4 hours

Question 12

postmortem clock.

Answer 12

• Following death, numerous changes lead to the dissolution of all soft tissues, this provides a sequence of events that may allow an estimate of time since death ensued.

Question 13

algor mortis

Answer 13

cooling of body

1 degree per hour

Question 14

2 parallel process of decomposition

Answer 14

autolysis and putrefaction

Question 15

1. Autolysis =

Answer 15

the disintegration of the body by enzymes released by dying cells

Question 16

2. Putrefaction =

Answer 16

the disintegration of the body by the action of microorganisms, such as bacteria.

Question 17

4 stages of decomposition

Answer 17

1. Fresh
2. Bloated
3. Decay
4. Dry

Question 18

toxicology screen “tox screen” =

Answer 18

tests help the forensic toxicologist determine the absence or presence of drugs & their metabolites, chemicals, carbon monoxide & other gases, metals & other toxic chemicals in human fluids & tissues.

Question 19

Embalming

Answer 19

is a process of chemically treating the dead human body to reduce the presence & growth of microorganisms, to retard organic decomposition, & to restore an acceptable physical appearance.

Question 20

chemicals used to preserve body

Answer 20

formaldehyde and formalin