Forensic

Algor mortis

1. coldness of death”; the process that occurs after death in which the body temperature continually cools until it reaches the ambient or room temperature

Autopsy

1. he medical dissection and examination of a body in order to determine the cause of death

Cause of Death

1. the specific injury or illness that lead to death. Ex: Gunshot wound to the chest

Coroner

an elected official in some states that launches an inquest (formal investigation) to determine the MANNER of death for unexplained deaths and can order an autopsy to be done by a medical examiner

Rigor mortis

stiffness of death”; a medical condition that occurs after death and results in the stiffening of muscle mass; the rigidity of the body begins within 24 hours of death and disappears within 36 hours of death (depending on temperature)

Forensic Anthropology

1. concerned with the identification and examination of human skeletal remains; bones may reveal the sex, age, race, height and injuries to a victim

Forensic Entomology

the study of insects and their relation to criminal investigation; commonly used to estimate time of death depending on the life cycle stage of the insects at the crime scene/body

Forensic Pathology

1. the medical study of the deceased victim done by a medical examiner who is responsible for determining the cause of death & performing autopsies

Livor mortis

1. the purple marks of death”; a medical condition that occurs after death and results in the settling of the blood in areas of the body closest to the ground (leaves bruise-like purple marks on that area of the skin)

Manner of Deat

the legal determination of the nature of the death as homicide, suicide, natural causes, accidental or undetermined

Mechanism of Death

1. the physiological disruption in homeostasis that results in death. Ex: Bleeding out from a gunshot wound

Medical Examiner

rained in pathology and given the task of determining the time, cause & mechanism of death through an autopsy

Pallor mortis

1. paleness of death”; the gradual paleness of the skin that develops immediately after death as circulation stops (mostly seen in fair-skinned people)

Postmortem Interval (PMI)

1. the time elapsed between when a person died and when they were found by investigators