Miscellaneous Flashcards
What is the primary cause of death?
Conditions which explain the cessation of life, beginning with the most recent and moving backwards
What is the secondary cause of death?
Conditions not related to the cause of death but contribute substantially
What is determined in the study of molecular genetics?
The identification of DNA (genes), diagnosing certain diseases, prediction of prognosis and treatments
What is the cause of death?
Disease or injury that led to the death. May be underlying, intermediate and immediate
What is the mechanism of death?
Physiological, metabolic or anatomic alterations produced in the underlying cause of death that results in the fatal episode
What is the manner of death
Means or circumstance by which a death occurred. Natural, accidental, suicide, homicide or undetermined
What are satellite blood drops?
Smaller blood droplets that splash away when a larger drop hits a surface
What is indandione as a fingerprint detection method?
Reacts with amino acids to produce a fluorescent product
What is sudan black as a fingerprint detection method?
Reacts with fats and lipids from fingerprints
What are the four stages of droplet to bloodstain formation?
Contact and collapse, displacement, dispersion and retraction (equilibrium wetting)
What is surfactant drowning (dry drowning)?
Inhalation of water during near drowning causes surfactant in the lungs to be removed. The lungs sac stick together and gas exchange is inhibited. Results in fluid build up in lungs and pulmonary edema
What are the differences between a forensic and an independent photographer?
Forensic photographer produces evidence to be used in court. Independent photographer provides service to lawyers, insurance agencies and police
What factors affect the onset of postmortem changes?
Temperature, humidity, body weight, infection, drugs, wounds, clothing, artificial cooling
What can mtDNA be used to determine?
Maternal relatives
What can be determined about nDNA between individuals?
The sequences can be compared to determine if one set of DNA is derived from another, indicating paternal relationship
What region of the DNA does DNA profiling target?
The intron regions (non-coding DNA). Also the short tandem repeats, specifically the number of repeats at each region under analysis
What are the four types of trauma?
Mechanical, chemical, thermal and electrical
What are the two types of mechanical trauma and what is the result of each?
Sharp force which cuts or pierces tissue with a sharp object, incised wound. Blunt force which is a dull object producing lacerations or tears in tissues
What are the two types of thermal trauma?
Hypothermia, extreme cold. Hyperthermia, extreme heat
What does the NAFIS encode?
Ten print images by creating an algorithm analysing minutiae from fingerprints
What level of damage must be done to cause permanent alteration to ridge formation?
The dermis must be penetrated
What is blood composed of?
White blood cells, red blood cells and platelets
What does the ABACard Heme-Trace test detect?
The presence of human haemoglobin to screen for the presence of blood
What are the 2D and 3D considerations of analysing clothing in blood analysis?
2D - position of victim, proximity of victim and suspect. 3D considerations involve the body being a curved surface and movement of the body
What is Locards principle?
Contact between two items will results in the exchange of microscopicmaterial
What is the difference between a medicolegal and a medical autopsy?
A medical autopsy is conducted by doctor request and with family permission. A medicolegal autopsy is ordered by a coroner or medical examiner to determine identity, time of death and to collect evidence
What circumstances require a medicolegal autopsy?
If a person dies unexpectedly, unnaturally, under suspicious circumstances, in custody
What is circumstantial evidence?
Presumptive pieces of evidence found on the body such as ID, jewelry
What is physical evidence?
Attributes including sex, age, race, height. Distinctive marks such as tattoos, scars
What is used to reveal tattoos on decomposed/charred remains?
Hydrogen peroxide and UV light
In a crash investigation, what is analysed in an intermediate level crash?
Stat data and data from the vehicle
In a crash investigation, what is analysed in a major incident?
Requires and in depth investigation into the cause
What are the main wildlife crimes?
Hunting, poaching, trade, cruelty, persecution, accidents
What is involved in entomotoxicology?
Test for the presence of toxins and to determined whether a poisoning was intentional or non-intentional
Why was there a lower death rate of UK convicts compared to the US?
UK prisons kept their convicts healthy as they used them as workers while US prisons didnt treat them well
What was discovered about the death rates of the Egypt Expeditionary force?
The ratio of death from disease:combat was 37:1
What does the 1972 National Parks and Wildlife act regulate?
What animals can be killed with or without a permit
What does the 1985 Animal Welfare Act regulate?
Covers all vertebrae, except for humans and fish. Regulates the transport, killing and overall management of animals
What does the convention of international trade of endangered species (CITES) regulate?
Prevents international trade of an agreed upon list of endangered species
What is involved in determining species postmortem?
Visual and skeletal system analysis. DNA typing through amplifying specific genes for identification
What are the issues with researching wildlife international trade?
Low search rates, low punishment and lack of info from airlines
What classifies minor and major wildlife crime offenders?
Minor involves permit violations and major involves illegal trade and crime for financial gain
