Forensic Medicine: Autopsies, the Death Investigation Team, and Postmortem Changes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the classifications of autopsies, the death investigation team, and postmortem indicators such as livor mortis and rigor mortis.

Autopsy

A specialized examination of a corpse to determine how and why a person died and to investigate disease or injury.

Forensic Autopsy

A type of autopsy performed when investigators need to determine the cause of death in cases involving suspected criminal activity, unidentified remains, unexplained deaths, or certain accidental deaths.

Clinical Autopsy

A type of autopsy that helps medical professionals understand disease progression, evaluate treatments, and identify ways to prevent deaths.

Pathologist

A medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing diseases and may perform an autopsy.

Forensic Pathologist

A specialized medical professional with advanced training in performing autopsies and evidence collection.

Forensic Anthropologist

A professional who examines human remains using physical anthropology and archaeological techniques, especially when remains are skeletal or badly decomposed.

Forensic Toxicologist

A specialist who analyzes body samples to detect drugs and poisons.

Forensic Entomologist

A specialist who studies insects associated with decomposing remains to help estimate the time since death.

Autopsy Technician (Diener)

A specialist who assists the pathologist with the autopsy procedure.

Medical Examiner

An official who investigates qualifying deaths, determines the cause of death, and decides whether an autopsy is necessary.

Legal Implications of Determining Cause and Time of Death

Investigative determinations that are critical for settling matters regarding insurance, wills, and criminal cases.

Livor Mortis

Tissue discoloration that occurs when blood settles in the lowest parts of the body after circulation stops.

Clues Provided by Livor Mortis

Two main forensic determinations provided by blood pooling: the postmortem interval and the position of the body.

Rigor Mortis

The stiffening of the body muscles that occurs after death.

Biological Mechanism of Rigor Mortis

The process where oxygen cessation decreases cellular respiration and reduces production of $ATP$, preventing muscle cells from pumping calcium ions out and causing muscle fibers to contract without relaxing.

Timeline of Rigor Mortis

The postmortem timeline in which muscle stiffness begins to develop within $2\text{ to }6\text{ hours}$ and reaches maximum stiffness at approximately $12\text{ hours}$.