Module 7: Forensic Pathology Flashcards
What is death?
- Irreversible cessation of all vital functions (heartbeat, brain activity, respration)
Heart stops beating –> stop blood circulation and oxygen supply
CR Arrest
Loss of brain function, consciousness, no brainstem reflex
Brain death
Is brain death considered death?
Yes, it is a clinical death
Biochemical changes –> decomposition
Cellular and Molecular Changes
Signs of Death
- extreme pallor/paleness on the face and lips
- no pulse
- no heartbeat
- no breathing
- no response to painful stimuli
- no corneal reflexes
What happens after death?
- There are observable physical changes in the first 24-48 hours after death
- Known time interval between time of death and changes.
Four Postmortem Stages
- Pallor Mortis
- Algor Mortis
- Rigor Mortis
- Livor Mortis
Observations on Pallor Mortis
- 15-30mins
- paleness
Observations on Algor Mortis
- coldness caused be absence of body temp. regulation
True or False
Algor Mortis is accurate too estimate time of death
False. The body may get cold quickly if the environment is cold.
Human internal body heat temp.
37C
Observations on Rigor Mortis
- matigas
- used to estimate time of death (checking of stiffed parts)
- more reliable than algor
Rigorrr~~~ Timeline
- Primary Flaccidity
- Rigor Mortis
- Secondary Flaccidity
Primary Flaccidity
-1-2 hours after death
- released of urine and gas
Rigor Mortis
- autolysis - cell death
- start with eyelids, fingers, and toes
- peak: 12 hours after death
Secondary Flaccidity
- muscle relaxation due to degeneration
- start with eyelids, fingers, and toes
Observations on Livor Mortis
- 15-20 mins after death; fixed after 6hrs
- lividity due to gravity
- development of purple color after 8-12 hrs
True or False
Livor mortis is visible when it starts at 15-20mins.
False. It starts but only visible until 2hrs.
True or False
Hard surface obstruct blood flow –> imprints
True
True or False
Livor Mortis is used to know cause of death
True
Pathology vs Forensic Pathology
Both study disease or injury but FP do a postmortem examination
True or False
Forensic pathology had training in anatomical pathology and specialized in forensic pathology but not a medical doctor
False. All are correct but FP is an MD.
What are performed during postmortem examination?
- autopsy
- determing cause and possible manner of death
- x-rays, tissue samples, bodily fluids, bacterial culture
What is the purpose of slanted autopsy table?
To drain bodily fluids
What does an autopsy report contain?
- pathological process, injury, disease –> death
- manner of death
Immediate cause of death
- final boss (disease, injury, complication)
Antecedent cause of death
- what cause the final boss to awake
Underlying cause of death
- cause of antecedent cause of death
- if this did not happen, then no death will happen
Natural manner of death
- by disease or natural process
Homicide (manner of death)
- killing of a human being by another
Homicide: Murder
- sinadya, planned, premediated
Homicide: Manslaughter
- in the heat of a moment, during disagreement
Homicide: Self-defense
- protecting oneself/family
Accidental
- aksidente
Suicide
- intentional
How to prove that one commited suicide?
- intention of the person should be proven
Undetermined
- no sufficient evidence –> no determined manner of death
Step 1
- external examination.
- measure the body including weight.
- check for bruises, abrassions, cuts, marks, tattoos, clothes, smell, etc.,
- check if there is signs of moving the body
- checking rigor and livor mortis
Step 2
- internal examination
- Y cut/incision, shoulder to pubic bone
Step 3
- viewing of internal organ
- ribs sawn, sternal plate remove
Step 4
- removal of organ using Rokitansky method
Step 5
- removal of brain
- cut from back of scalp, then pull forward
- cut skull using vibrating saw
How many percent of formalin solution brain is stored?
20%
Step 6
- weigh the organs excepts intestine and stomach
- undigested food and feces are examined
Step 7
- returning of organs
Step 8
- sewing up like a stitch on a baseball
Clinical Pathology
- Hemopathology
- Cytogen/Molecular genpath
Anatomic Pathology
- Surgical Pathology
- Cytopath
- Forensic Pathology
Congrats finished ka na
