Test 3. Death Investigation Flashcards
§ 45-16-24
Notification of suspicious or unusual deaths; court ordered medical examiner’s inquiry
Reportable Deaths – Must Notify Coroner/Medical Examiner if Death Occurs:
- From violence, suicide, or accident
- Suddenly in good health
- Suspicious/unusual, esp. under age 16
- Unexpected under age 7
- Due to execution
- In custody (hospital/prison)
- Unconscious at hospital & dies within 24 hrs
- From drug overdose
- Pregnant/recently pregnant (unless clearly unrelated)
- Unattended by physician
§45-16-25
Coroner’s or county medical examiner’s duties after notice of suspicious or unusual death
Coroner/Investigator May Pronounce Death If No Medical Pro Available & One of the Following Applies:
- Rigor mortis with lividity
- Decomposition/putrefaction
- Skeletonized remains
- Death confirmed by EMS
For a recent death, ____________ before examination is normally the easiest determination to make.
one-half hour
What are some characteristics of a recent death?
> Body is still warm
> Body’s eyes pupils dilate
> Mucus membrane is still moist
What are some characteristics of a death that is from half hour to four days?
> Dried mucus membrane and blood
> Skin blisters and and slippage
> Body temperature has dropped
> RIgor mortis & post mortem
What are some changes to eyes after death?
> Eyes become cloudy within 30 minutes after death
> Eyes completely opaque within 6 hours
What is a person’s normal body temperature?
98.5 F
What happens to a person’s body temperature when they die?
> Their body temperature falls 1.5 F per at room temperature
> The temperature will continue to fall until it matches air tempeature
What is Postmortem lividity and what is common characteristics of it?
> It is when blood settles in response to gravity to the lowest part of the body
> It usually sets in 3 hours; fixed in 10 hours
What are common characteristics of RIgor mortis?
> Stiffening of body
> Occurs between 3 and 6 hours
> Maximum extent in 8 to 12 hours
> Disappears within 36 hours
> Can be broken; will not recover
What are the (3) types of gunshot wounds?
> contact
> near contact (less than 6 feet)
> distance (more than 6 feet)
What are indicators for gunshot suicide?
> Gun held against skin
> weapon present, tightly held in hand
> Not shot through clothing (unless shot in chest)
What are indicators of gunshot murder?
> Gun fired from more than few inches away
> shot through clothing
> No weapon present
What do hesitation marks indicate?
> Strong indicator of suicide
What do defense wounds indicate?
> Strong indicator of homicide
> Fighting back
