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Forensic Pathology

- postmortem investigation of

sudden or unexpected death ortrauma to the living

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Role of the Forensic PathologistRole of the Forensic Pathologist

4 broad determinations to be made:

A. Cause of Death medical diagnosis denoting

disease or injury

. !echanism of Death altered physiology by"hich disease#injury produces death

$arrhythmia% exsanguination&

C. !anner of Death

'. (omicide ). *uicide +. Accidental 4. ,atural Causes. n/no"n

D. 0ime of Death

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Time of DeathTime of Death

Can estimate time of death from

body temperature $algor mortis&

estimate: 123. o5 rectal temp6#'.

insect action $forensic entomology&

stomach contents $stage of digestion&

last /no"n activity $last sighting% ne"spaper#mail&

normal postmortem changes

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Time of DeathTime of DeathEntomology

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Time of DeathTime of Death

Can estimate time of death from

body temperature $algor mortis&

estimate: 123. o5 rectal temp6#'.

insect action $forensic entomology&

stomach contents $stage of digestion&

last /no"n activity $last sighting% ne"spaper#mail&

normal postmortem changes

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The Body FarmThe Body Farm

' acre of land o"ned by the niversity of 0ennessee

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Normal Postmortem ChangesNormal Postmortem Changes

'. rigor mortis

). livor mortis

+. desiccation

4. putrefaction

. cell autolysis $also called butyric fermentation&

. dry decay

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Rigor MortisRigor Mortis

ody "arm not stiff less than + hours

ody "arm stiff +-3 hours

ody cool stiff 3-+ hours

ody cool not stiff more than + hours

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Livor MortisLivor Mortis

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DesiccationDesiccation

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Normal Postmortem ChangesNormal Postmortem Changes

'. rigor mortis

). livor mortis

+. desiccation

4. !trefaction $days 4-'7&

". cell a!tolysis $days '7-)7&

#. dry decay $days )7-7&

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Tra!ma to the $!man BodyTra!ma to the $!man Body8ole of the 9athologist

'. Determine type of "ound

). !easure the dimensions $length% "idth%

depth&

+. 9osition relative to anatomical landmar/s

4. Determine initial location if "ound involves

cutting% slashing% etc.

. Determine height fromheel

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Tyes of %o!nds &Tra!ma'Tyes of %o!nds &Tra!ma'

'. acerations

). ;ncised

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LacerationsLacerations

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(ncised %o!nds(ncised %o!nds *lash *tab

9uncture penetrating injury due to an object "ith no blade

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)*rasions)*rasions

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Cont!sionsCont!sions

Color changes a bruise goes

through can give rough

estimate of time of injury

Dar/ blue#purple $'-'3 hours&

lue#bro"n $>' to )days&

=reen $> ) to + days&

?ello" $>+ to @ days&

Assumes person is healthy.

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+!nshot %o!nds+!nshot %o!nds

0hings for pathologist to learn:

type of firearm

distance of gun to victimentrance vs exit "ounds

trac/ of projectile

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+!nshot %o!nds+!nshot %o!nds

*tarring of a

contact "ound

barrel touching the

s/in

*tippling po"der burns on

the s/in "hen the gun is

inches to a fe" feet from the

victim

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Who Am I? (Who was I?)

Autopsy Procedures

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)!tosy)!tosy

*teps ;nvolved:

,. E-ternal E-amination

a. meas!rements length/ 0eight

*. insection of e-ternal s!rface for in1!ry/

discoloration/ 2ca!se of death3 signs

. 5ening of Tr!n6

a. 789 incision

*. 5en ri* cage

c. Condition of heart

d. Remove organs

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22Ca!se of Death3Ca!se of Death3

9etechial hemorrhage as a result of strangulation

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22Ca!se of Death3Ca!se of Death3

Discoloration or bruising is noted and often hints

at a cause of deathB diagnosis

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)!tosy)!tosy

*teps ;nvolved:

,. E-ternal E-amination

a. meas!rements length/ 0eight

*. insection of e-ternal s!rface

. 5ening of Tr!n6

a. 789 incision

*. 5en ri* cage

c. Condition of heart

d. Remove organs

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)!tosy)!tosy

? incision

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)!tosy)!tosy

)d. 8emove rgans:

must cut ligaments holding organs in the body cavity

and through the trachea and rectum

transfer organ bloc/ to a dissecting table

examine organs in proper order $"eigh% physical exam in

and out% ta/e tissue samples% save other appropriate

samples&

heart liver spleen /idneys pancreas

bladder genitalia complete =.;. tract

- save postage stamp sied amount of tissue

- examine tissue under a microscope for bacteria%

disease

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22Ca!se of Death3Ca!se of Death3

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)!tosy)!tosy

*teps ;nvolved:

:. Remove *rain

c!t aro!nd crani!m !sing 2;try6er sa03

store for 0ee6s in ,