Why is a Forensic Autopsy preformed? What is an Autopsy? Discover cause of death for: Criminal...
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Transcript of Why is a Forensic Autopsy preformed? What is an Autopsy? Discover cause of death for: Criminal...
![Page 1: Why is a Forensic Autopsy preformed? What is an Autopsy? Discover cause of death for: Criminal cases Family peace of mind Genetic disease or deformity.](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022062314/56649dd15503460f94ac7e80/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Why is a Forensic Autopsy preformed?
What is an Autopsy?
Discover cause of death for: Criminal cases Family peace of mind Genetic disease or
deformity
Insurance claimsMedical
advancement
Benefits of Autopsy
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Cause of Death v. Manner of Death
• Accidental• Undetermined
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Photographs taken or body in original, found state Hands wrapped in plastic bags for later evidence
collection Body temperature, lividity, and decomposition level
measured Body placed in bag or wrapped in evidence sheet for
transport.
At the crime scene
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External ExaminationSteps of an external examination.1. Photographs, X-rays.• Signs of injury or mistreatment• Signs of illness, disease, or
abnormalities2. Physical evidence collected off
body.3. Samples of hair, nails, etc. are
collected.4. Identifying marks (i.e. scars,
tattoos)5. Undressed, examined for
wounds.• Lacerations, abrasions, bruises.
6. Measured, weighed, cleaned.
Physical Examination
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Livor Mortis
Defined as ‘Colour of Death’. Coloration of the skin.
Physical Examination
External Examination
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Defined as ‘Coolness of Death’. Temperature of body. If within 12 hours:
Time of death (hrs) = 37oC – current body temp/0.78
Over 12 hours:Time of death = 27.64- current temp/0.39 + 12
• Thinner people cool faster then fat people.
Algor Mortis
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Defined as ‘Paleness of Death’. Tone of the body.
Pallor Mortis
Physical Examination
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Defined as ‘Stiffness of Death’. Flexibility of the body.• Shows up 2 hours after death• Peaks 12 hours after death.• Takes 12-24 hours for entire
rigor mortis effect to take place.• The eyelids are affected first,
the jaw, face, trunk, arms, legs.• Ends after 24-36 hours.
Rigor Mortis
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Explaining rigor mortishttp://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct8AbZn_A8A
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Approximate times for algor and rigor mortis in temperate regions
Body temperature
Body stiffness Time since death
warm not stiff dead not more than three hours
warm stiff dead 3 to 8 hours
cold stiff dead 8 to 36 hours
cold not stiff dead more than 36 hours
SOURCE: Stærkeby, M. "What Happens after Death?" In the University of Oslo Forensic Entomology [web site]. Available from http://
folk.uio.no/mostarke/forens_ent/afterdeath.shtml The time frame for all stages is greatly dependent on surrounding conditions such as temperature and humidity.
Physical ExaminationExternal Examination
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Lacerations
Types of Wounds (Trauma)1. Lacerations
2. Incised Wound
3. Puncture
4. Abrasion
5. Contusion
6. Gunshot
Physical Examination
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Abrasions
ContusionsColour changes a bruise
goes through can give rough estimate of time of injury
• Dark blue/purple (1-18 hours)
• Blue/brown (~1 to 2days)
• Green (~ 2 to 3 days)
• Yellow (~3 to 7 days)
Assumes person is healthy.
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Gunshot Wounds
Things for pathologist to learn:
• type of firearm
• distance of gun to victim
• entrance vs exit wounds
• track of projectileStarring of a contact wound – barrel touching the skin
Stippling – powder burns on the skin when the gun is inches to a few feet from the victim
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Opening the Chest Y shaped cut The chest cavity is cut open using shears. Skin & underlying tissue (muscle, fat, etc.) are then
separated The ribs are sawed away
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Removal of Organs
Physical Examination
Internal Examination
Examples of disease that may produce changes readily recognizable in the organs include atherosclerosis, cirrhosis of the liver, and coronary artery disease in the heart
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Two methods for organ removal:• Rokitansky procedure: all
organs removed at once• Virchow procedure: each
organ removed separately and immediately examined
Rokitansky Method
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All removed organs are now weighed and examined for unusual markings or signs. Vitreous Humor
• The levels of vitreous humor in the corpses eye tells us how long the victim been dead.
Physical Examination
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Brain Examination An incision is made from a point
behind one ear, over the top of the head, to a point behind the opposite ear.
The scalp is pulled away from the skull, creating two flaps.
Physical ExaminationInternal Examination
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The skull is then cut with a vibrating electric saw The brain is then cut from the spinal cord The spinal cord may also be taken by removing the
anterior or posterior portion of the spinal column.
Two methods of cutting the skull cap
• Brain is so soft it must be placed in 10% formaldehyde solution for 1-2 weeks before an in depth examination
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Physical ExaminationInternal Examination
Closure
Performance of an autopsy does not interfere with an open casket funeral service