Legal Med Flashcards
Branch of medicine which deals with the application of medical knowledge to the purposes of law and in the
administration of justice
Legal medicine
Application of medicine to legal cases
Legal medicine
Application of medical science to elucidate legal problems
Forensic medicine
Knowledge of law in relation to the practice of
medicine.
Medical jurisprudence
Injury/Disease point of view: Treatment
ORDINARY PHYSICIAN
Injury/Disease point of view: Cause
MEDICO-LEGAL OFFICER
Examine a patient: Diagnose
ORDINARY PHYSICIAN
Examine a patient: Testify / justice
MEDICO-LEGAL OFFICER
Minor injuries: Ignored
ORDINARY PHYSICIAN
Minor injuries: Records all / qualify crime
MEDICO-LEGAL OFFICER
Principle: When the court has once laid an interpretation of law as applied to certain facts, it will adhere to and apply to all future cases
PRINCIPLE OF STARE DECISIS
Persons authorized to perform autopsies
- Health Officers
- Medical officer of law enforcement agencies.
- Members of the medical staff of accredited hospitals.
Types of evidence: Made known to the senses
Autoptic or Real evidence
Types of evidence: Oral under oath
Testimonial evidence
Most reliable & effective questioning technique
Use of control questions
Does not response to added relevant question
Guilt complex test
Subject verbal response creates distortion in
the tracing or clearing of the throat
Silent answer test
Most valuable method of identification of persons
FINGERPRINTING
Fingerprint is formed in
Fetus
Fingerprint is not changeable at
4th month AOG [SAMPLEX, 4 weeks]
Fingerprint used as substitute for signature
Right thumb print
Art and study of recording fingerprints as means of id
DACTYLOGRAPHY
Comparison of fingerprints
DACTYLOSCOPY
Study of pores found on the pappillary friction ridges of skin
Poroscopy
Hardest substance of the body
Enamel
Scientific methods of identification
- Fingerprinting
- Dental identification
- handwriting
- Identification of skeleton
- Determination of Sex, Age
- Identification of blood, blood stains
- Identification of hair, fibers
Outlast other tissues in putrefaction
Enamel
Science of handwriting analysis
BIBLIOTIC
Study of handwriting for the purpose of determining the
writers personality, character and aptitude
GRAPHOLOGY
In determining height, add ___ to skeletal height for the soft tissues
1 to 1.5 in
Two French anatomist devised a formula for the determination of the height for males and females
Topinard and Rollet
Table of different height of bones for different ages and their corresponding statures
Humphrey’s table
Used in determination of sex of the skeleton
a) Pelvis
b) Skull
c) Sternum
d) Femur
e) Humerus
Male vs female pelvis: Curve of iliac crest reaches higher level
Male
Male vs female pelvis: Iliopectineal line sharp
Male
Male vs female pelvis: Obturator foramen egg-shaped
Male
Male vs female pelvis: Obturator foramen triangular
Female
Male vs female cranium: Mastoid process larger
Male
Male vs female cranium: Cranium placed horizontally
rest on mastoid process
Male
Male vs female cranium: Cranium placed horizontally
rest on occipital& maxillary bones
Female
Male vs female cranium: Zygomatic arches more prominent
Male
Male vs female cranium: Face larger in proportion to cranium
Male
All soft tissues in a grave disappear within
1 year
Sexual deviation by desire to assume the attire and be
accepted as a member of the opposite sex
Transvestism
Presumptive vs highly probable vs conclusive evidence of sex: Hair
Presumptive
Presumptive vs highly probable vs conclusive evidence of sex: Vagina, large breast
Highly probable
Presumptive vs highly probable vs conclusive evidence of sex: Ovary
Conclusive
Determination of age of fetus
Hess’s rule or Haase’s rule
Hess’s rule or Haase’s rule: Fetus of less than 25 cm long-
Square root of length in cm, result in months
Hess’s rule or Haase’s rule: Fetus > 25 cm
Divide the length of the fetus by 5 and the result is the age in month
ID of blood and blood stains: Bluish-white in a dark room
Luminescence test
ID of blood and blood stains: Physical exam
Solubility
Heat
Luminescence
ID of blood and blood stains: 3amino-phtalic-acid-hydrazide-HCL, Sodium peroxide , distilled water
Luminescence test
Chemical ID of blood: Saline extract of the blood plus ammonia yields
Brownish color, alkaline hematin
Chemical ID of blood: Blue color in white filter paper
Benzidine test
Chemical ID of blood: Guaiacum + H2O2 = Blue
Van Deen’s Dyas/Schombein
Chemical ID of blood: Pink
Phenophthalein (Kastle-Meyer) test
Identified using leukomalachite green test
Blood
Microscopic exam of blood:
1) Hemochromogen crystal or Takayama test
2) Teichmann’s blood crystals or Hemin crystal test
3) Acetone-haemin or Wagenhaar test
Best microchemical test for blood
Teichmann’s blood crystals or Hemin crystal test
Positive to any substance containing hgb
Takayama
Addition of NaCl forms dark brown rhombic prisms of chloride (hematin)
Teichmann/Hemin crystal test
Biologic test which determines whether blood is human or not
Precipitin test
Biologic exams to test for blood
Precipitin
Blood grouping
Age of blood stains: Hgb converted to Methgb of hematin red to red-brown, warm weather
Within 24 hours
Human vs animal hair: Medulla, cells invisible w/out tx in H2O
Human
Human vs animal hair: Medulla, cells easily visible
Animal
Human vs animal hair: Medulla, air network in fine grains
Human
Human vs animal hair: Medulla, air network large or small sacks
Animal
Human vs animal hair: Cortex looks like a thick muff
Human
Human vs animal hair: Cortex looks like a thin hollow cylinder
Animal
Human vs animal hair: Cuticle have thin scales
Human
Human vs animal hair: Cuticle have thick scales
Animal
T/F The civil personality of a natural person is extinguished by death
T
T/F The property of a person is transmitted to his heirs at the time of death
T
T/F The death of a partner does not cause dissolution of partnership agreement
F, causes dissolution of partnership
T/F The death of either the principal or agent is a mode of extinguishment of agency
T
T/F Criminal liability is not extinguished by death
F, extinguished by death
T/F The civil case for claims which does not survive is dismissed upon death of the defendant
T
Kind of death: Discontinuance of cardiac activity and respiration, and eventually leads to the death of all body cells from lack of oxygen
Somatic death/Clinical death
Kind of death: 3 to six hours after cessation of life
Molecular or cellular death
Kind of death: Transient loss of consciousness in hysteria, uremia, electric shock
Apparent death or state of suspended animation
ULTIMEN MARIENS
Usually the auricle contract after somatic death for a longer period than the ventricle (last to stop)
Exam of peripheral circulation
Magnus test Icard test Diaphanous test Spurting of small artery Pressure on fingernails Blistering of skin on application of heat
Exam of peripheral circulation: Application of ligature around base of finger results in a bloodless area at site of application = alive
Magnus
Exam of peripheral circulation: Injection of flourescein SQ results in greenish yellow discolouration in the whole skin = alive
Icard
Exam of peripheral circulation: Fingers spread wide through a strong light = red = alive
Diaphanous test
Magnus test in a dead man
No bloodless area at site of ligature application
Icard test in a dead man
Greenish yellow discoloration only in the area of injection
Death is cessation of respiration for more than
3.5 minutes
Saucer with water or mercury placed on chest
Winslow test
___ hours after death, the cooling is rapid
First two
Fall of temp. of ___ degrees Fahrenheit is considered as a certain sign of death
15 to 20
Rise of temp. of the body after death
POST-MORTEM CALORICITY
POST-MORTEM CALORICITY is due to
Rapid and early putrefactive changes
POST-MORTEM CALORICITY is usually observed during ___ hours
First 2
POST-MORTEM CALORICITY = seen in
Cholera, liver abscess, tetanus, RF, Strynine poisoning, peritonitis, yellow fever, cerebrospinal fever, smallpox
Factors delaying the rate of cooling of the body, connected with body
- Acute pyrexial disease
- Sudden death in good health
- Obesity of person
- Death from asphyxia
- Death of the middle age
Factors accelerating cooling, connected with body
- Leaness of the body
- Extreme age
- Long-standing illness
- Chronic pyrexial disease with wasting
Factors delaying cooling, connected with surroundings
- Clothings
- Want of access of air to the body
- Small room
- Warm surroundings
Factors accelerating cooling, connected with surroundings
- Unclothed body
- Conditions allowing the access of air
- Large room permitting the dissipation of heat
- Cooling more rapid in water than in air
Micro chemical exams for sperm
Florence
Berberio
Puramen
Acid phosphatase
Micro chemical exams specific of spermatic fluid/spermine
Berberio
Micro chemical exams for sperm, detection of choline
Florence
Determines whether semen is from human or not
Precitipitin test aka biological test of Farnum
Micro chemical exams for sperm, yellow, rhombic to needle-shaped crystals
Berberio
Micro chemical exams for sperm, dark-brown needle-shaped crystals
Florence
Microscopic exam for sperm
Dr. Hankin’s mtd
Ganguli mtd
Indentations left in soft or pliable materials belong to what type of fingerprints
Plastic
Fingerprint: Not visible after impression but after application of substances
Latent
Fingerprint: Visible without treatment
Visible
Race: Thick lips, prominent eyes
Negro
Characteristics which may easily be changed
a) growth of hair, beard
b) grade or profession
c) clothing
d) body ornamentations
e) frequent place of visit
Characteristics that may not be easily be changed
a) mental memory
b) speech
c) gait
d) mannerism
e) handedness-left /right
f) hands and feet
g) complexion
h) changes in the eyes
i) facies
j) degree of nutrition
Van Urk test
LSD
Xwikker test
Barbiturate
Marquis test
Heroin, morphine, etc
Race: Brown, flat nose round face, round head
Malay
Age of scar: Slightly elevated, reddish/bluish, tender to touch
Recent
Age of scar: Inflammatory redness, soft, sensitive
Few weeks-2 months
Age of scar: Brownish, free from contraction, soft
2 – 6 months
Age of scar: White, glistening, contracted, tough
> 6 months
Scar formation is delayed by
Sepsis, age, depth of wound, mobility
Scar may not develop if
Small, superficial, healed by first intention
T/F Birth marks like nevi may be removed by CO snow, electrocautery, or excision
T
T/F Moles are permanent and can only be removed by surgery
T
T/F Blood typing may be utilised to distinguish 1 person from another
F
Child vs old person: Fine hair deficient of pigments and devoid of medulla
Child
Fingerprint may persist if not removed at the scene for
Years
Method to approximate height with the extremities missing
Length of head times 8
Race: Prominent sharp nose
Caucasian
Race: Almond eyes and prominent cheek bones
Mongolian
Population: Hair is long, wiry, thick
Adolescent
Population: Hair color is white or gray, with marked absorption of pigments and degenerative changes
Old person
The distance from the base of the skull to the coccyx is ___ of the height
44%
The distance between the supra-sternal notch and the pubic symphysis which is ___ of the height
1/3
T/F Height is equal to the length of the vertex of the skull to the pubic symphysis times 2
T
Leonine facies
Leprosy
Elephantiasis
Facies indicative of approaching death
Hippocratic
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: Below the epidermis
Contusion
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: In the epidermis or in the cutis
Post mortem hypostasis
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: Cuticle unabraded
Post-mortem hypostasis
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: Cuticle was probably abraded
Contusion
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: Appears at the seat of and surrounding the injury
Contusion
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: Always in a part which for the time of information is dependent
Post-mortem hypostasis
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: Often elevated
Contusion
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: Not elevated
Post-mortem hypostasis
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: Incision shows the blood is still in its vessels
Post-mortem hypostasis
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: Color is uniform
Post-mortem hypostasis
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: Incision shows blood outside the vessels
Contusion
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: Color variegated
Contusion
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: White lines or patches of pressure bordered by the dark color of hypostasis are produced and marks of floggings, strangulation, etc. are thus sometimes simulated
Post-mortem hypostasis
CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS: Actual surface of contact may be a little lighter than the rest of the bruise but will not be white
Contusion
Scars that are fine white lines diagonally across the back with depressed small spot at intervals
Flogging
Scars that are irregular in shape, furrowed with edges hardened and uneven
Tb sinus
Scar that is disc-like, depressed at center and may be adherent to the underlying tissue
Gunshot wound
Scar that has a regular form and situation and with stitch marks
Surgical operative
Scar that is ragged, irregular, and may be keloidal
Burn
Basis of the estimate for duration of interment
1) Presence or absence of soft tissue adherent to the bones
2) Firmness and weight, brittleness, dryness of the bones
3) Degree of erosion of the surface of the bones
4) Changes in the clothings, coffin, and painting
Test to determine the sex
- Social test
- Genital test
- Gonadal test
- Chromosomal test
Test to determine sex where barr cells are detected
Chromosomal test, (+) in females
Utilizes anthropometrical measurement of the human body for identification
Bertillon system
Human skeleton is unchangeable after ___ years
20
Picturesque description of a person
Portrait parle (spoken picture)
Light as a factor in ID: Clearest moonlight
Less than 16-17 yards
Light as a factor in ID: Starlight
Less than 10-13 yards
Light as a factor in ID: Broad daylight, not seen before
Not farther than 100 yards
Light as a factor in ID: Broad daylight, almost strangers
25 yards
Light as a factor in ID: Flash of firearm
2 inches letters can be read with the aid of a flash of 22 caliber at 2 feet
Light as a factor in ID: T/F Flash of lightning provides
sufficient light to identify
T
Photos of wanted or missing persons for comparison with sketches
Rogue’s gallery or photographic file
When can an examination be done to confirm the identity of a dead person
Anytime
When can an examination be done to confirm the identity of a dead person in settling succession to an estate, for the purpose if opening succession
10 years disappearance
Bone which is most informative regarding the sex of the owner
Pelvis
Lungs are distended overlapping the heart; increase in lung volume
Emphysema aquosum
Whitish foam accumulates in the mouth/nostrils
Champignon d’ocume
Emphysema aquosum is a finding in
Asphyxia by submersion or drowning
Submersion for ___ minutes considered fatal
1 1⁄2
Average time required for death in drowning
2 to 5 minutes
Emergency treatment in Drowning: Face down, prone position, operator exerts pressure in ribs
Schaefer’s method
Emergency treatment in Drowning: Lying on his back, astride over body, swinging arms
Sylvester’s method
External post-mortem findings in death from drowning
F.B. clinging on skin surface “Cutis anserine” or “goose flesh” Washerwoman’s hands and feet Postmortem lividity (marked in head, neck, and chest) Firmly-clenched hands with objects Physical injuries for struggle
Indicative of suicidal drowning
Pieces of stone
Internal post-mortem findings in death from drowning
Emphysema aquosum Edema aquosum Champignon d’ocume Both sides of heart may be filled with or emptied of blood Blood chloride discrepancy
Findings conclusive that person died of drowning
- The presence of F.B. in the hands of the victim.
The clenching of the hands is a manifestation of cadaveric spasm in the effort of the victim to save himself from drowning. - Increase in volume (emphysema aquosum) edema of the lungs ( edema aquosum)
- Presence of water in the stomach
- Presence of froth, foam, F.B. in the air passage found in the medium
where the victim was found. - Presence of water in the middle ear due to violent inspiration when the mouth is full of water.
Due to irritation made by the inhaled water on the mucous membrane of the air passage which stimulate the secretion of mucous
Emphysema aquosum
Due to entrance of water into air sacs; lungs are doughy; edema of lungs
Edema aquosum
Blood chloride content is greater on the left side of the heart
Salt water drowning
Blood chloride is more I the right side of the heart
Fresh water drowning
Quantitative determination of the chloride content of the blood in the right and left ventricle of the heart
Gettler’s Test
In Gettler test, difference of at least ___ indicates death from drowning
25 mg
Indicates that death is rapid or submersion made after death
Food in stomach
When does a body float after drowning
Within 24h
Floating of the body in drowning is due to
Decomposition which causes the accumulation of gas in the body
Flexed vs extended: Position of death in drowning
Flexed
Bronze color of head and neck in drowning
Tete de negri
Violent deaths
- Accidental death
- Negligent death
- Infanticidal death
- Parricidal death
- Murder
- Homicidal death
Violence applied in a dead person
Impossible crime
Victim was suffering from a natural disease and violence inflicted only accelerated the death. T/F Offender is criminally liable for death
T
Victim died of a natural cause independent of the violence inflicted. T/F Offender is criminally liable for death
F, will not be responsible for the death but merely for the physical injuries he had inflicted
Sudden loss of consciousness followed by paralysis or death due to Hemorrhage from thrombosis or
embolism in the cerebral vessels
Cerebral apoplexy
Most common cause of Sudden death due to natural causes
Occlusion of the coronary vessels
Death due to injuries inflicted in the body by some forms of outside force; The physical injury must be the proximate cause of death
Violent death
Death due to misadventure
Accidental
Death due to reckless imprudence, lack of skill or foresigh
Negligent
T/F Giving assistance to suicide is punishable
T
Parriccidal death is due to killing of
father, mother, child, (leg/illeg) ascendant, descendant, spouse (leg.)
Infanticidal deaths, killing of a child less than ___
3 days
PATHOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE CAUSES OF DEATH
Death due to syncope
Death from asphyxia
Death from coma
Stages of death from asphyxia
Increasing dyspnea (1 min)
Expiratory convulsion
Exhaustion (3 min)
SPECIAL DEATHS
Judicial
Euthanasia
Suicide
Electrocution, hanging, musketry, gas chamber
Judicial deaths
The human body without food losses ___ of its weight daily
1/24th
___% loss of body weight in a day = death
40
Factors that influence the length of survival
Age, condition of the body, sex, environment
Person charged with the duty of burial: Deceased was married
Surviving spouse; if NONE, municipal authorities
Person charged with the duty of burial: Deceased was unmarried
Nearest of kin of the deceased (adults, within the Phil. and in possession of sufficient means to defray the necessary expenses) if NONE, municipal authorities
Right of custody if died of communicable disease
Local board of health or local health officer or municipal council
T/F The right of custody means ownership of the dead body
F
The person mentioned in a will who will carry on the provision of the will
Executor
T/F Executors right of custody is superior to the right of spouse to the dead body
T
In embalming, ___ quarts of antiseptic solutions of formalin, perchloride of mercury or arsenic is carried into the internal carotids and the femoral arteries
6-8
Bury within __ hours if unembalmed
48
Bury within __ hours, if communicable
12
May delay burial (> 48 hours if unembalmed, > 12 hrs if communicable) IF
- Subject of legal investigation.
- Authorized by the local health authorities that may be buried more than 48H.
- Impliedly when embalmed.
T/F Death certificate is necessarily issued before burial
T
Death certificate may be issued by
Local health officer
Mayor
Secretary
Councilor
In burial, permission from the ___ is necessary if death is due to violence or crime
Provincial fiscal or from the municipal mayor
T/F If death is due to communicable disease, body should not be taken in any place of public assembly
T
T/F If death is due to communicable disease,only adult family members of the deceased are allowed to attend the funeral
T
The placing of the body of any deceased person in an unsealed overground tomb is only allowed if
1) Sealed
2) Unsealed but awaiting final disposition
The depth of the grave must be at least ___ deep, filled well and firmly
1 1⁄2 meters
Burial Grounds requirements: At least ___ from any dwelling house
25 meters
Burial Grounds requirements: Not within ___ from any water source
50 meters
The duty and the right to make arrangements for the funeral of a relative belongs to
Descendants : Eldest
Ascendants : Paternal
T/F If the deceased suffered from dangerous communicable disease, disposing of the dead body in the sea is permissible
F
Permit for conveyance of body to sea for burial is not necessary
F
Cremation is prohibited if
a. If the deceased left a note.
b. Identity of the person is not definite.
c. Exact cause of death cannot be ascertained and the need for further inquiry or examination.
Use of body for scientific purposes
1) Corpse of prisoners
2) Any person to be buried for public expense and which is unclaimed for 24 hours
Permission to use human organs or any portions of the human body for medical, surgical or scientific purposes; written document should contain signatures of whom
The grantor and two disinterested witness
Persons permitted to detach human organs
- Licensed physicians
- Known scientist
- Medical or scientific institutions
T/F Valid authorization to use human body for medical, surgical or scientific purposes must specify the organ or part to be removed
T
T/F A copy of valid authorization to use human body for medical, surgical or scientific purposes must be submitted to
Secretary of Health
Exhumation in case of death from dangerous
communicable disease should be after ___ from burial
5 years
Exhumation in case of death from non-dangerous communicable disease should be after ___ from burial
3 years
T/F In case of death from non-dangerous communicable disease, remains shall disinfected before burial
T
A common law-husband who kills his common law wife with whom he has a 2-day old child can be prosecuted for
Homicide
T/F The result of Polygraph exam may be admitted to court
F
T/F USE OF DRUGS THAT INHIBIT THE INHIBITOR is admissible in court
F
Truth serum
Hyocine hydrobromide
Used in Narcoanalysis or Narcosynthesis
Sodium amytal or sodium pentothal
Alteration of consciousness for admission of truth
Hypnosis
Expressed acknowledgement of guilt
Confession
Contains guidelines to be observed by physician concerning torture, inhuman and degrading punishment
Tokyo declaration
A physician who specialises or is involved primarily with medico legal duties
Medical jurist, medical examiner, medico legal officer, medico legal expert
Evidence to confirm the allegation or opinion of a medical witness
Experimental evidence
Evidence: Articles and materials; aid in establishing identity of perpetrator
Physical evidence
Objects/substances part of body of crime
Corpus delicti
Examples of corpus delicti evidence
Smoking gun Body of victim Prohibited drugs recovered from a person Knife with blood stains or fingerprints Stolen motor vehicle
Evidence that may link suspect to the crime
Associative evidence
Evidence that may assist in locating the suspect
Tracing evidence
T/F Electronic evidence is admissible in court
T
Scientific interrogation: Interrogator creates a mood conducive to confession; friendliness
Emotional appeal
Scientific interrogation: 2 investigators with opposite characters
Mutt and Jeff technique
Scientific interrogation: Suspects investigated separately
Bluff on split-pair
Scientific interrogation: Subject is given opportunity to make a lengthy narration
Stern approach
Confession made in court/municipal hall/police station
Judicial
Confession made outside court
Extrajudicial
Hallmark of forensic medicine
Admission
Criminal vs civil vs administrative case, evidence: Proof beyond reasonable doubt
Criminal case
Criminal vs civil vs administrative case, evidence: Preponderance
Civil case
Criminal vs civil vs administrative case: Innocent unless proven guilty
Criminal case
Criminal vs civil vs administrative case, evidence: Substantial
Administrative
Gait: Tabes dorsalis
Ataxic
Gait: Knock knee
Cow
Gait: Steps are short and feet are dragged
Paretic
Gait: Legs are held together and toes are dragged
Spastic
Gait: Short accelerating steps
Festinating
Gait: Hopping from infantile paralysis
Frog
Gait: Waddling
Duck
Height ceases to increase after
25 years
12 permanent teeth
9 y/o
20 permanent teeth
11 y/o
28 permanent teeth
13 y/o
Calcification of teeth begins at
8-10 y/o, 3rd molar
Root ends of 3rd molar completely calcified
25 y/o
Study of documents to determine genuineness of authorship
Bibliotics
Forgery: Outlining of a genuine signature from a document
Traced
Forgery: Attempt to copy in freehand manner the genuine signature
Simulated
Forgery: No attempt to copy the genuine writing
Spurious
Deliberate attempt to alter his writing habit or by imitating the writing of another
Disguised writing
Recent blood shed is soluble in saline solution and imparts bright red color
Solubility test
Solution of blood stain will impart a muddy ppt
Heat test
Test for blood: Salmon color to dark brown pink crystals
Takayama
Test for blood: Water with NaCl and glacial acetic acid
Teichmann
Test for blood: Diluted oxalic acid
Aceton-Hematin
Determination of time of death by examination of CSF
Schourups formula
Waxy looking skin of death is due to
Loss of circulation
Yellowish spot in sclera seen with death
Tache noir de la sclérotique
If body temp. is normal at the time of death, the average rate of fall of the temp. during the first 2 1⁄2 hours is ___
1⁄2 of the difference of the body temperature and that of the air
With death, the body attains the temp. of the surrounding air from ___ hours after death in tropical countries
12 to 15
Weapon which is highly grasped by the hand of a victim of a shooting incident is an example of
Cadaveric spasm
Cases when trauma or disease kill quickly that there is no opportunity for sequel or complication to develop
Immediate cause of death
Most practical, useful, and reliable means of preserving evidence
Photography
Comprehensive study of a dead body performed by trained physician
Autopsy
When the body surface of corpse is pressed, it leaves a flattened area due to
Loss of elasticity
Most prominent sign of death
Progressive fall of body temp
Tested in suspected cases of lead poisoning
Liver
Living in very high altitude may cause what type of asphyxial death
Anoxic
CHANGES IN THE MUSCLE, Three Stages After Death
a) Stage of primary flaccidity ( POST-MORTEM IRRITABILITY)
b) Stage of post-mortem rigidity ( CADAVERIC RIGIDITY , DEATH STRUGGLE OF MUSCLES OR RIGOR MORTIS)
c) Stage of Secondary flaccidity or Commencement of putrefaction ( DECAY OF MUSCLES)
Pupils in death
Dilated
T/F In primary flaccidity, there is presence of molecular life
T
Primary flaccidity takes place within
1 hour and 51 minutes
Primary flaccidity, chemical reaction of muscle is ___
Alkaline
CADAVERIC RIGIDITY starts at ___
Muscle of neck, lower jaw
CADAVERIC RIGIDITY, reaction is ___ due to ___
Acidic, inc. of lactic acid
CADAVERIC RIGIDITY develops ___ after death in temperate, earlier in warm
3 to 6 hours
CADAVERIC RIGIDITY last from ___ in temperate, warm: ___ cold weather, ___ summer
2 to 3 days
24-48H
18-36H
Secondary flaccidity, reaction is ___ due to ___
Alkaline; dissolution of muscle proteins
Stage where muscles are capable of contracting when stimulated
Primary flaccidity
Lividity where blood gravitates to most dependent parts inside blood vessels
Hypostatic lividity
Lividity where coagulated blood is either in blood vessels or already diffused in tissues
Diffusion lividity
Breaking down of complex proteins with evolution of foul-smelling gases
Putrefaction
Softening of tissues in a fluid medium in the absence of putrefactive microorganism
Maceration
Putrefaction that takes place in death of fetus in utero
Maceration
Prominence of superficial veins with reddish discolouration during decomposition
Marbolization
Putrefy rapidly
Eyeball, lining of trachea, larynx , brain, stomach, intestine, liver, spleen
Putrefy late
Highly muscular organs and tissues: Esophagus, diaphragm, heart, lungs, kidneys, U.B., uterus, P.G.
Intentional cutting off any reproductive part of the body
Mutilation
Anoxic death with cyanide and alcohol
Histotoxic anoxic death
Anoxic death in heart failure, shock, arterial/venous obstruction
Stagnant anoxic death
Manner of death that should be autopsied
- death by violence
- accidental death
- suicides
- sudden death of persons in apparent good health
- death unattended by physician
- death wherein MD is not able to arrive at a clinical dx as to the cause of death
- death occuring in an unnatural manner
Cutis gallina or washer woman’s hands and feet on the corpse signifies that
Body has been in water for some time
Willfull and deliberate painless acceleration of death of a person
Euthanasia
When a body is the subject matter of a criminal investigation, it may be exhumed when
Anytime
Lividity that does not change with any change in position of the cadaver
Diffusion lividity
Lividity: early stage; blood is still fluid within the blood vessels; any change in position of the body leads to the formation of lividity in another place
Hypostatic lividity
Exhumations is aka
Disinterment
Burial is aka
Interment
Deep burial sites will make decomposition, faster vs slower
Slower
Fetus is considered born if
Alive at the time it is completely delivered from the mother’s womb
T/F If the fetus had an intra-uterine life of less than 7 months, it is deemed born if it dies within 24H after its complete delivery from the maternal womb
F, NOT deemed born
Civil status of the father with respect to the child
Paternity
Civil status of the child in relation to its mother or father
Filiation
Legitimate children
1) Born on lawful wedlock
2) Born within 300 days after the dissolution of marriage
3) Born after 180 days following the celebration of the marriage
Physical incapacity of either sex to allow or grant to the other legitimate sexual gratification
Impotence
Loss of power of procreation and is absolutely independent of whether or not impotence is present
Sterility
Duration of death: Rigor mortis
2-3 hours after death
12 H fully developed
18-36 H disappears concomitant with putrefaction
Duration of death: Post mortem lividity
3-6 H after death
Duration of death: Onset of decomposition
24-48 H after death
Duration of death: Live flies in the clothing in the drowning victim
Less than 24h
Duration of death: Stomach empty
3-4h
Duration of death: Food in distal ileum/cecum
6-8h
Duration of death: Blood clots in vessels
6-8h
Float earlier, in order
Stagnant > shallow > salt
Presumption of death: Not heard of in
7 years
Presumption of death: In a vessel for
4 years
Presumption of death: In the armed forces for
4 years
Presumption of death: In danger of death for
4 years
Euthanasia without patient’s knowledge
Murder
Firing squad
Musketry
Performance of a lawful act with due care and death occurred without intention
Accidental
Microorganism with dominant role in decomposition
Clostridium welchii
Rigor mortis in tropics lasts for
24-48h
