| Algor, Rigor & Livor | Decomposition | Entomology | Autopsies | Manner, Mechanism, Cause, and Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8-12 hours
EC - In what position did they die?
If a decedent has livor mortis coloration set in on their back, what is the minimum amount of time they have been deceased?
|
Temperature, insects, and burial depth.
What are 2 of the 3 most important environmental factors in corpse decay?
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The oldest ones.
EC - Which species typically arrives first?
Which age of insects should you base your time of death estimate on?
|
Questionable, homicide, drowning, child, or auto accident.
Name 3 of the 5 factors we talked about that warrant an autopsy.
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Homicide, Suicide, Accidental, Natural, & Unknown.
What are the 5 manners of death?
|
|
Cells break down (autolysis) / enzymes leak out.
Muscles remain contracted in rigor mortis until what happens?
|
0-3 days
How long does the first stage of decay (fresh/initial decay last?
|
They arrive at different times.
Why are there maggots of different ages and species on a body?
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Criminal case, peace of mind for family, insurance, generic disorder, & medical advancement.
Name 3 of the 5 benefits of an autopsy.
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Antemortem, Perimortem, and Postmortem
EC - How can you differentiate the three?
Which type of injuries happens before, during, and after death, respectively?
|
|
1.4°F every hour
EC - What about after the first 12 hours?
What is the coolng rate of the body during the first 12 hours after death?
|
2nd stage (Bloat/Putrification)
EC - What cause the gases?
In which stage of decomposition does the body swell due to gases?
|
Higher temp accelerate, while lower temps delay.
What affect does temperature typically have on maggot development?
|
Look for trace evidence, signs of abuse or mistreatment, and signs of illness, disease or abnormailities.
What is the purpose of an external examination (3)?
|
Location (organs involved), Location (depth), Location (body)!
What are the 3 most important factors when classifying an injury?
|
|
~12 hours (6 min - 24 max given other factors).
EC - What affect might temp., body fat, & activity level have?
If a decedent is found with peak rigor, approximately how long have they been deceased?
|
10-20 days (Stage 3)
If a body is found with exposed insides being black, fluid leaking out, having large maggots and a horrible smell, how long has it been deceased?
|
8-9 days.
EC - If it was 85° how would this change your estimate?
A body was found with temps in the mid 70s. House fly larvae of 6 & 9 mm, blow fly larvae of 23 mm, and flesh fly of 33 mm were found. What's the approximate time of death in days?
|
Removal of all body organs at once.
EC - What's the purpose of "running the gut"?
What is the Rokitansky Method?
|
Contusion
EC #1 - Which one is a friction injury removing superficial layers of skin, allowing serum to exude and form a crust? EC #2 - Contrast an incision with a laceration.
What type of injury is a bruise due to rupture or penetration of small-caliber blood vessel walls?
|
|
19 hours and 51 minutes
EC - How might weather, clothing, & body fat affect this estimate?
A body was found with a liver & rectal temperature of 76.3°F. How long have they been deceased? Give time in hours and minutes.
|
Beetles
EC- What feeds on hair in stage 5?
Which insect feeds on skin and ligaments during the 4th stage of decay?
|
At least 22 days.
EC - Ignoring the affect of temperature, what stage of decomposition would this body be in?
A body was found in a basement with a temperature of 65°F. House fly larvae of 24 mm, open pupae cases, and adult house flies were present. Flesh fly pupae of 39 mm was also found. What's the approximate time of death in days?
|
Examined, weighed/measured, sliced in cross sections, sampled for microscopic and chemical analysis.
What 4 things does each organ go through after removal?
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Sepsis
EC - What if they died from choking?
What is the mechanism of death if someone died from an infection?
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