Students will investigate various aspects of death and dying.

Unit 7 Mortality

Brain deathClinical deathAccidental deathSuicidal deathHomicidal deathNatural deathAutopsyAlgor MortisRigor Mortis IncisionsLacerationsAbrasionsPunctures

PenetrationGunshotAssaultBurnsTaphonomyPutrificationBlack PutrificationDry decayButyric fermentation

Vocabulary

A. Brain Death1. Irreversible end of all brain activity due to

total death to the cerebral neurons following loss of blood flow and oxygenation.

2. The brain is no longer capable of sustaining the rest of the body’s systems.

B. Clinical Death1. Cessation of blood circulation (cardiac

arrest) and loss of breathing.2. CPR may reverse clinical death.

Brain Death vs Clinical Death

Accidental, Suicidal, Homicidal, NaturalA. Accidental death: Death that happens by

chance and was not planned or expected.B. Suicidal death: The intentional taking of

one’s own life.C. Homicidal death: The act of a human killing

another human being. Often called murder.D. Natural death: Death that occurs from

physiological or biological functions. This is the cause of the majority of deaths.

Four different methods of Death

An autopsy is done by a coroner or pathologist. It reveals the cause of death, approximate time of

death and weapons that were used in the death. Permission from the next of kin must be obtained

when the law does not require an autopsy to be done.

An autopsy procedure: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/science/health-human-body-sci/human-body/real-csi-sci.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/visibleproofs/galleries/media/autopsy/index.html

Autopsy Procedure

Steps of an autopsy procedure1. External examination performed

Photographed from head to toeAll physical characteristics documentedBody measured, weighed and x-rayed.Fingerprints obtained.

2. Y-shaped incision madeDeep cut made from the front of each shoulder to

the bottom end of the sternum; then to the pubic bone.

Skin peeled back with the top flap placed over the face.

Steps of an Autopsy

Steps of an autopsy procedure3. Internal examination

Chest cavity opened with an electric saw.Ribs are sawn off and the anterior chest wall is cut

away to expose the organs that are underneath. 4. Internal organs removed and weighed5. Brain is removed

Skull is cut with an electric saw to create a cap.Then a transverse incision is made through the

brainstem so the brain can be removed.

Steps of an Autopsy

Steps of an autopsy procedure6. Intestines are drained7. Stomach is opened and drained8. Samples are taken from the tissues and

organs.9. Major blood vessels are cut open and

examined.10. Internal organs returned to the body and

the head and chest are sewn up.

Steps of an Autopsy

Autopsy

Follow the steps of an autopsy procedure as detailed in your booklet. Do not skip any steps. Read each direction thoroughly.

Autopsy of a Fetal Pig

Visual examinationOrgan examinationWound/trauma marks analyzedToxicology reports (drugs, alcohol, etc – blood

work)Histology reports (slides of tissues – cancer,

etc)Cause of Death vs Manner vs Mechanism

What was the body’s physical reason for death (cause).

What caused the physical reason for death (manner)

Determining Cause of Death

Jon Benet Ramsey medical reporthttp://crimeshots.com/AutopsyReport.html

A. MechanicalB. ThermalC. ChemicalD. Electrical

Wound Patterns

Open WoundsIncisionsLacerationsAbrasionsPuncturesPenetrationGunshotAssaultBurns

Wound Patterns

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/visibleproofs/galleries/media/ragsdale/index.html - gunshot study

Tool mark identification powerpoint

Tool / Weapon Marks

Closed WoundsContusionsHematomasCrushingChronicAcute

Wound Patterns

The cooling rate of the body after deathAs soon as the body dies there is no longer metabolic

functions that keep the body at 98.6 degrees F.The body temperature will begin to even out with the

surrounding environment.Consideration to the type of clothes, the surface area

to body mass and surrounding conditions must be evaluated.

Most accurate temperature to determine time of death should be taken within 1-36 hours of death.

The body will cool at a rate of 1-1.5 degrees F per hour until it reaches the environmental temperature.

Algor mortis

Postmortem lividity The pooling of the blood in the body after the

heart stops. Indicated the position of the body at the time

of death.Begins within a half of an hour following

death.Most evident at approximately 12 hours

following death.After 12 hours the discoloration will not move

no matter how the body is disturbed.

Livor mortis

Rigidity of the skeletal muscles after death.After death the muscles relax and release ATP

as the muscle breaks down making the muscles become rigid.

Begins in the smaller muscles of the jaw, neck and face.

Noticeable stiffness will occur within 3 hours of death.

Rigor mortis is affected by the environmental factors

Rigor mortis

Taphonomy is science that studies decomposition over time.

Stages of decomposition1. Fresh stage

a. Occurs in the first few days , 0-3 daysb. Autolysis begins- destruction of cells and

organsc. Algor mortis occursd. Attracts insects that begin to lay eggs

Taphonomy: AKA Decomp

2. Putrefaction stage (days 4-10)a. Follows the fresh stage until about day 10

post mortemb. Odor, color change and bloating occur to the

bodyc. A green color begins in the abdomen and

spreads throughout the body because the bacteria within the body is breaking down.

d. Skin in fragile and the body hairs fall offBlack Putrefaction days 10-20

Taphonomy: AKA Decomp

Butyric Fermentation stagea. Body odor is lostb. Body begins to dry out and becomes

mummifiedC. Days 20-50

http://australianmuseum.net.au/image/Butyric-fermentation-20-to-50-days

Taphonomy: AKA Decomp

5. Dry Decay stagea. Slow and longest stage of decomposition 50-

375 daysb. Body becomes skeletonized: deterioration of

the skeletal remains

Taphonomy: AKA Decomp

http://www.oceanlab.abdn.ac.uk/staff/mac/macstaph.php

Decomp in different environments

Only certain insects will feed and lay eggs on a dead corpses. Entomologist study the state of development of insects living on a corpse and count back the days to determine time of death.

Most insects follow a sequential life cycle of growth from a fertilized egg to a mature adult. This occurs in four stages.

Insect life cycles (Entomology)

Adult green blow fly

Adult Greenbottle Fly

Adult Bluebottle fly

Adult Red-tailed Flesh Fly

Adult Hairy Rove Beetle

Adult Hide Beetle

Adult female blow flies arrive within minutes to lay eggs on a cadaver. Each deposits about 250 eggs in the natural openings of the body and open wounds. The eggs hatch into first-stage maggots within 24 hours. These feed and then molt into second-stage maggots, which feed for several hours, and then molt into third-stage maggots. Masses of third-stage maggots may produce heat, which can raise the temperature around them more than 10° C. After more feeding, the third-stage maggots move away from the body and metamorphize into adult flies.

Egg: Deposited by female insect within minutes following death in natural openings and open wounds.

Stage 1

Contact: Pam Mitchellinfo@BTERFoundation.org949-278-9756BioTherapeutics, Education & Research Foundation

Larvae: Newly hatched wingless and wormlike form of the insect. Immature stage before metamorphosis occurs. For example a caterpillar, grub or maggot.

Stage 2

Pupa: Non-feeding stage between larvae and adult. During this stage metamorphosis occurs and the insect hides itself in a cocoon or similar structure.

Stage 3

Adult: After all changes have occurred and the insect is fully mature.

Stage 4

Temperature of the environment and the season.Availability of oxygen and air movement.Surrounding condition and surface the body is resting

on.HumidityRainfallClothing the person dressing in or wrapped in.Type of burial.Access of scavengers and insects to the body.Person body size and weightCause of death.Any traumatic injuries or wounds

Environmental factors related to time of death

Living tissue slideNecrotic tissue slide

SLIDE SAMPLES OF LIVING AND NECROTIC TISSUE.

In Utah, autopsies are performed under these circumstances:

Deaths by violence, gunshot, suicide, or accident , except highway accidents. (Utah is unique in the nation in excluding any death resulting or appearing to result from a highway accident from the jurisdiction of the medical examiner or coroner).

2. Sudden death while in apparent health. (This is defined as any instantaneous death without obvious natural cause, death during or following an unexplained syncope or coma, or death during an acute or unexplained rapidly fatal illness).

Autopsy

3. Unattended deaths. (Unattended means that the person has not been seen by a physician within 30 days of their death. Persons who die while under treatment by prayer or spiritual means in accordance with the tenets and practices of a well-recognized church or religious denomination are not considered to be unattended).

4. Deaths under suspicious or unusual circumstances

5. Deaths resulting from poisoning or overdose of drugs.

6. Deaths resulting from disease, injury, toxic effect or unusual exertion incurred within the scope of the decedent's employment. ( However, highway accident deaths while on the job are excluded).

7. The Medical Examiner may also assist in the identification of a deceased individual. In cases where injury or decomposition make visual identification or fingerprints impossible, the use of dental records may be required.

8. Deaths resulting from diseases which may constitute a threat to the public health.

9. Deaths due to the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

10. Deaths resulting while the deceased was in prison, jail, in police custody, in the state hospital, or in a detention or medical facility operated for the treatment of the mentally ill or emotionally disturbed or delinquent persons.

11. Deaths associated with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Section 26-4- 4 (2) states the medical examiner shall have the authority to conduct investigations, perform any necessary examinations, and retain any samples required for the determination of the cause and manner of death or for scientific purposes. The medical examiner may also request any records relating to the medical care and treatment of an individual whose death is under investigation. Failure to provide records is a Class B misdemeanor.

Section 26-4-16 of the law mandates that in any case where the identity of the decedent is known and the legal next-of-kin have requested release of the body, the body must be released within 24 hours after it has arrived at the medical examiner facility. An extension of this time limit may be ordered by a district court.

The records of the medical examiner are considered confidential and may only be released to the legal next-of kin, an authorized investigative agency and/or a physician who has treated the decedent. Any other requests for information must either be authorized by the legal next of kin or by court order. Subpoenas are not considered a valid request for information under the state's confidentiality rules.

Next of kin may obtain a copy of the Medical Examiner's report by submitting a signed letter identifying the deceased and their relationship. The signature on the letter must be notarized. There is no charge for the first copy of a report sent to next of kin. Subsequent copies require payment of a $25 fee.