1. 2 what is forensic pathology? definition: - investigation of sudden, unnatural, unexplained or...

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What is Forensic Pathology?

What is Forensic Pathology?

Definition:- investigation of sudden, unnatural, unexplained or violent deaths- notice: not all deaths warrant autopsy

Ex. Old age, terminal illness- but violent, suspicious deaths in healthy individuals and some accidental deaths warrant the use of an autopsy (post-mortem examination of a body to determine cause of death)

Definition:- investigation of sudden, unnatural, unexplained or violent deaths- notice: not all deaths warrant autopsy

Ex. Old age, terminal illness- but violent, suspicious deaths in healthy individuals and some accidental deaths warrant the use of an autopsy (post-mortem examination of a body to determine cause of death)

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Modern Goals of AutopsiesModern Goals of Autopsies

Determine the identity of the decedent

Determine the cause of death

Determine the manner of death

Determine the mechanism of death

Determine time of death

Determine the identity of the decedent

Determine the cause of death

Determine the manner of death

Determine the mechanism of death

Determine time of death

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Cause and Manner of Death

Cause and Manner of Death

Cause of Death Manner of Death

-the injury or disease that initiated death

-Ex. cancer

-explains how the cause arose; such as natural, accident, homicide, suicide (sometimes undetermined)

-Ex. Struck by lightening (accident)

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The Medical ExaminerThe Medical Examiner Requires a Doctor of Medicine Degree Responsibilities include autopsy,

histology, and forensic photography Perform around 250 autopsies a year Review around 1,400 filed medical

examiner cases a year Provide instruction in Forensic

Pathology Salary: $97,000 - $170,000 a year*

Requires a Doctor of Medicine Degree Responsibilities include autopsy,

histology, and forensic photography Perform around 250 autopsies a year Review around 1,400 filed medical

examiner cases a year Provide instruction in Forensic

Pathology Salary: $97,000 - $170,000 a year*

*Source: The Forensic Casebook pg. 174-175

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Examination ProtocolExamination Protocol Most ME’s visit the

scene Dental/medical history

can be provided if identity of victim is known

Any use of resuscitation, injections, IV or thoracic lines, intubations, or bare-handed handling by medical personnel is vital knowledge

Most ME’s visit the scene

Dental/medical history can be provided if identity of victim is known

Any use of resuscitation, injections, IV or thoracic lines, intubations, or bare-handed handling by medical personnel is vital knowledge

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Examination ProtocolExamination Protocol

Visual inspection Injury inspection Internal examination Presentation to other experts Reconciliation of all exhibits Presentation of findings

Visual inspection Injury inspection Internal examination Presentation to other experts Reconciliation of all exhibits Presentation of findings

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Three Types of DecompositionThree Types of Decomposition

Rigor mortis: medical condition that occurs after

death and results in the shortening of muscle tissue and the stiffening of body parts in the position they are when death occurs

Immediately following death, muscles relax and then become rigid

Occurs in the first 24 hours and disappears within 36 hours

Rigor mortis: medical condition that occurs after

death and results in the shortening of muscle tissue and the stiffening of body parts in the position they are when death occurs

Immediately following death, muscles relax and then become rigid

Occurs in the first 24 hours and disappears within 36 hours

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Livor mortis: Medical condition that occurs after

death and results in the settling of blood in areas of the body closest to the ground

Skin appears as a dark blue or purple in the areas where the blood has settled due to gravity

Begins immediately following death and lasts up to 12 hours after death

Livor mortis: Medical condition that occurs after

death and results in the settling of blood in areas of the body closest to the ground

Skin appears as a dark blue or purple in the areas where the blood has settled due to gravity

Begins immediately following death and lasts up to 12 hours after death

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Algor mortis: Postmortem changes that cause a

body to lose heat until it reaches room temperature

Good for determining time of death Average heat loss: 1 degree F per

hour Affected by clothing, weather

conditions, fat content

Algor mortis: Postmortem changes that cause a

body to lose heat until it reaches room temperature

Good for determining time of death Average heat loss: 1 degree F per

hour Affected by clothing, weather

conditions, fat content

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Visual InspectionVisual Inspection

Before the visual inspection begins, blood is drawn, X-rays taken, and inspected for sharps

Visual examination can begin with a nude or clothed body

Entire body is photographed

Before the visual inspection begins, blood is drawn, X-rays taken, and inspected for sharps

Visual examination can begin with a nude or clothed body

Entire body is photographed

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Visual Inspection cont…Visual Inspection cont…

Clothing is examined for rips, tears, or trace evidence

Clothing is removed, dried, & packaged; descriptions of clothing (including size/brand) recorded for autopsy report

Blood-stained clothing sent out for examination; blood stains on body swabbed for identification

Head combed for trace, foreign hairs, & other evidence

Clothing is examined for rips, tears, or trace evidence

Clothing is removed, dried, & packaged; descriptions of clothing (including size/brand) recorded for autopsy report

Blood-stained clothing sent out for examination; blood stains on body swabbed for identification

Head combed for trace, foreign hairs, & other evidence

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Visual Inspection cont…Visual Inspection cont… Rape kit may be included at this stage if

warranted Body openings (ears, vagina, etc.) examined

for foreign objects/trace evidence Hands (bagged at the scene) are examined;

fingernail scrapings Fingerprint/footprint cards taken Entomological samples taken if needed Notations of visual injuries are made &

photographed; tattoos/body markings noted General health noted along with hair & eye

color

Rape kit may be included at this stage if warranted

Body openings (ears, vagina, etc.) examined for foreign objects/trace evidence

Hands (bagged at the scene) are examined; fingernail scrapings

Fingerprint/footprint cards taken Entomological samples taken if needed Notations of visual injuries are made &

photographed; tattoos/body markings noted General health noted along with hair & eye

color

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Visual Inspection cont…Visual Inspection cont… UV photography used

to reveal old bruises or new ones not yet surfaced

Lasers/oblique lighting turn up trace such as hair, pollen, blood, saliva, semen, even fingerprints

Birthmarks, tattoos, & distinguishing scars used as recognizable marks for identification

UV photography used to reveal old bruises or new ones not yet surfaced

Lasers/oblique lighting turn up trace such as hair, pollen, blood, saliva, semen, even fingerprints

Birthmarks, tattoos, & distinguishing scars used as recognizable marks for identification

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Injury InspectionInjury Inspection

Penetrating wounds

Non-penetrating wounds

-caused by bullets, knives, bombs, etc.

- full extent of these wounds requires more than visual examination

- caused by blunt force trauma, hand/finger impressions, burns, needle marks

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Injury Inspection cont…Injury Inspection cont… Penetrating wounds such as those caused

by bullets draw special attention- presence of gunpowder around wound- long range bullet wounds result in a hole with no other surface information- shots held to the skin give a hole & “rim burn”- short range shot may singe body hair and leave similar marks as a skin-held shot but no burn mark- inches to feet away shots leave “stippling” marks

Penetrating wounds such as those caused by bullets draw special attention- presence of gunpowder around wound- long range bullet wounds result in a hole with no other surface information- shots held to the skin give a hole & “rim burn”- short range shot may singe body hair and leave similar marks as a skin-held shot but no burn mark- inches to feet away shots leave “stippling” marks

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Injury Inspection cont…Injury Inspection cont…

Bullet wound can change shape because skin is elastic so gun caliber cannot always be estimated

Gunshot entry wounds are usually smaller than exit wounds

Bullets that hit bone often leave a star pattern on bone surface

Knife wounds are three dimensional; recognizable by experienced examiners without casting; most are by kitchen ware

Bullet wound can change shape because skin is elastic so gun caliber cannot always be estimated

Gunshot entry wounds are usually smaller than exit wounds

Bullets that hit bone often leave a star pattern on bone surface

Knife wounds are three dimensional; recognizable by experienced examiners without casting; most are by kitchen ware

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Injury Inspection cont…Injury Inspection cont… Non-penetrating wounds

- blunt-force trauma leaves marks- hand & finger impressions on skin are measured for finger span and size- bite marks can be photographed and cast made- burns; frost bite; rope marks from hangings appear with an upward angle (fake ones have a horiz. line)- needle marks indicate drug use

Non-penetrating wounds- blunt-force trauma leaves marks- hand & finger impressions on skin are measured for finger span and size- bite marks can be photographed and cast made- burns; frost bite; rope marks from hangings appear with an upward angle (fake ones have a horiz. line)- needle marks indicate drug use

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Internal Inspection (Autopsy)

Internal Inspection (Autopsy)

Most dissections begin with a “Y” incision over the torso

One cut - arc across chest from shoulder to shoulder

Second cut - long cut that extends from base of the breast bone to the pubic bone (curves around navel)

Most dissections begin with a “Y” incision over the torso

One cut - arc across chest from shoulder to shoulder

Second cut - long cut that extends from base of the breast bone to the pubic bone (curves around navel)

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Internal Inspection (Autopsy) cont…


Organs are removed from the top down; each is massed out on a scale

Rib cutters and spreaders open the chest

Lungs are examined for damage and heart tissue will be sampled

Organs are removed from the top down; each is massed out on a scale

Rib cutters and spreaders open the chest

Lungs are examined for damage and heart tissue will be sampled

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Throat, esophagus, trachea, and upper spine examined; broken hyoid bone indicates strangulation

Stomach contents are examined and help determine time of death; tie victim to a specific place & time; intestines examined as well

Liver, spleen, & pancreas are sectioned for histology & drug presence

Throat, esophagus, trachea, and upper spine examined; broken hyoid bone indicates strangulation

Stomach contents are examined and help determine time of death; tie victim to a specific place & time; intestines examined as well

Liver, spleen, & pancreas are sectioned for histology & drug presence

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Bladder sample taken (urine) for testing of drugs

Presence of blood in urine can mean blunt force trauma over the kidneys

Women are examined for pregnancy, sexual interference, & semen

Once the internal examination is complete, the organs are replaced inside the body & the body is sewn up

Bladder sample taken (urine) for testing of drugs

Presence of blood in urine can mean blunt force trauma over the kidneys

Women are examined for pregnancy, sexual interference, & semen

Once the internal examination is complete, the organs are replaced inside the body & the body is sewn up

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Head is examined last; eyes are first Hemorrhages to the eyes or lids

(petechiae) indicate lack of circulation to the head (strangulation)

Single incision made - arch from one ear, over forehead, to other ear; face is flipped forward

Face area is examined for bruising beneath the skin

Skull is opened with a saw; brain examined and weighed

Head is examined last; eyes are first Hemorrhages to the eyes or lids

(petechiae) indicate lack of circulation to the head (strangulation)

Single incision made - arch from one ear, over forehead, to other ear; face is flipped forward

Face area is examined for bruising beneath the skin

Skull is opened with a saw; brain examined and weighed

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Other Autopsy FactsOther Autopsy Facts

Exhumations- body that has been buried is dug up for examination

Partial bodies/Amputations- ME sometimes must “reconstruct” a victim from their body parts- body parts can sometimes help police reconstruct the crime or profile the killer

Exhumations- body that has been buried is dug up for examination

Partial bodies/Amputations- ME sometimes must “reconstruct” a victim from their body parts- body parts can sometimes help police reconstruct the crime or profile the killer

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Presentation to Other Experts

Presentation to Other Experts

Medical examiners are NOT expected to see EVERY trauma ever inflicted on a victim

ME must rely on histology, toxicology, and other fields to help with cause of death

ex. Scuba deaths, animal bites, pharmacy

Medical examiners are NOT expected to see EVERY trauma ever inflicted on a victim

ME must rely on histology, toxicology, and other fields to help with cause of death

ex. Scuba deaths, animal bites, pharmacy

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Reconciliation of All Exhibits

Reconciliation of All Exhibits

Prior to the completion of the autopsy, all samples, reports, and exhibits are accounted for and checked for accuracy

All evidence (ex. bullets) is returned

Prior to the completion of the autopsy, all samples, reports, and exhibits are accounted for and checked for accuracy

All evidence (ex. bullets) is returned

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Presentation of FindingsPresentation of Findings

Final presentation is the autopsy report

Describes all findings, steps taken, and opinion of the examiner on the cause, method, and manner of death

Final presentation is the autopsy report

Describes all findings, steps taken, and opinion of the examiner on the cause, method, and manner of death

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Forensic OdontologyForensic Odontology

Definition: the application of dental science to help identify individuals and the study of teeth in bite mark analysis

Job title: Forensic odontologist

Definition: the application of dental science to help identify individuals and the study of teeth in bite mark analysis

Job title: Forensic odontologist

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Identifying RemainsIdentifying Remains Victims can be identified by using a

complete jaw, fragment of a jaw, or even just a few teeth

Dental x-rays best source for identification Show relative positions of teeth, fillings,

and other materials contained in the tooth

Forensic odontologist may also assist in the autopsy (take notes on teeth and cranial features)

Police use these dental findings, enter them into a computer and look for a close comparison

Victims can be identified by using a complete jaw, fragment of a jaw, or even just a few teeth

Dental x-rays best source for identification Show relative positions of teeth, fillings,

and other materials contained in the tooth

Forensic odontologist may also assist in the autopsy (take notes on teeth and cranial features)

Police use these dental findings, enter them into a computer and look for a close comparison

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Example of Dental fillingExample of Dental filling

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Identifying Unknown Remains cont.

Identifying Unknown Remains cont.

Often called to mass disaster sites (such as airplane crashes, fires, bombings, terrorist attacks, etc.)

May be called to mass graves after political crimes of massacres have been committed (ex. Rwanda and Guatemala)

Often called to mass disaster sites (such as airplane crashes, fires, bombings, terrorist attacks, etc.)

May be called to mass graves after political crimes of massacres have been committed (ex. Rwanda and Guatemala)

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Analyzing Bite marksAnalyzing Bite marks

Criminals (and victims) sometimes leave bite marks

Can link a suspect to a victim and vice versa

Dental impressions often left in food too (chewing gum; also a good DNA sample)

Criminals (and victims) sometimes leave bite marks

Can link a suspect to a victim and vice versa

Dental impressions often left in food too (chewing gum; also a good DNA sample)

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Computer Imaging with Dental Records

Computer Imaging with Dental Records

Computer imaging technology can generate an outline of teeth

It is laid over top a digital photograph of the human bite mark on the victim

Called “compound overlay”

Computer imaging technology can generate an outline of teeth

It is laid over top a digital photograph of the human bite mark on the victim

Called “compound overlay”

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Computer Imaging continued

Computer Imaging continued

Image can be zoomed in for a close up Look at edges of suspect’s teeth and

compared with the injury pattern In court, forensic odontologist would

then testify to the strong association between the victim’s injury marks and the dental impressions of the suspect

Image can be zoomed in for a close up Look at edges of suspect’s teeth and

compared with the injury pattern In court, forensic odontologist would

then testify to the strong association between the victim’s injury marks and the dental impressions of the suspect

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How to Become a Forensic Odontologist?

How to Become a Forensic Odontologist?

First become a dentist Need bachelor of science degree Go to dental school (Doctor of Dental

Science) Gain experience in the field of

dentistry Take courses on forensic odontology

supported by the American Board of Forensic Odontology

First become a dentist Need bachelor of science degree Go to dental school (Doctor of Dental

Science) Gain experience in the field of

dentistry Take courses on forensic odontology

supported by the American Board of Forensic Odontology

1. 2 what is forensic pathology? definition: - investigation of sudden, unnatural, unexplained or...

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