Prin Bio Med 1.2.1-1.2.3 Vocab

Morgue

A place where the bodies of dead persons are kept temporarily pending identification or release for burial or autopsy.

Autopsy

A postmortem evaluation to determine the cause of death.

Cause of death

The specific injury, trauma, or disease that directly caused the victim's death.

Mechanism of death

What happens physiologically (inside the body) to result in death.

Manner of death

The circumstances that result in death, designated as natural or unnatural.

System

A group of organs in a body that work together to perform a specific function.

Physiological time of death

Time when the decedent's vital functions actually ceased.

Estimated time of death

Time the medical examiner estimates that the death occurred.

Legal time of death

Time of death recorded on the death certificate; based on when the body was found or physically pronounced dead.

Algor mortis

Change in body temperature after death.

Rigor mortis

Stiffening of joints and muscles after death.

Livor mortis

Pooling of the blood following death that causes a purplish red discoloration of the skin.

Toxin

A naturally occurring poison produced by living organisms such as bacteria, fungi, plants, insects, and algae.

Toxicant

Manufactured and extracted chemicals such as pesticides, cleaning agents, industrial emissions or by-products, mining by-products, etc. that produce adverse biological effects.

Nutrient

A substance that the body needs to maintain life and health, such as proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals.

Molecule

A group of atoms held together by chemical bonds.

Chemical reaction

A process where atoms and/or molecules are rearranged to transform matter.

Metabolism

The chemical reaction processes of breaking down molecules for energy and building up more complex molecules needed for growth and repair.

Forensic chemistry

A field of chemistry that tests non-biological samples, such as powders, pills, and other substances, to identify or quantify them.