Forensic Pathology and Investigation Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts and facts from the lecture notes on forensic pathology and investigation.

What are the key differences between a coroner and a medical examiner?

Coroners are elected and may not have medical degrees, while medical examiners are appointed physicians, usually forensic pathologists.

What is the primary objective of an autopsy?

The primary objective is to determine the cause of death.

What does the term 'manner of death' refer to?

Manner of death refers to the classification of death (natural, accident, suicide, homicide, undetermined), not the cause.

What type of injuries can blunt-force trauma cause?

Blunt-force injuries can abrade and crush tissue.

What should always be done with a victim's hands in cases involving gunshot wounds?

The hands should be swabbed to test for gunshot residue, regardless of the circumstances.

What gas is primarily responsible for deaths at fire scenes?

Carbon monoxide.

At what levels of carbon monoxide can a victim lose consciousness?

Even relatively low levels of carbon monoxide can cause disorientation and loss of consciousness.

What are petechiae and when are they commonly observed?

Petechiae are caused by blood escaping into tissues and are more common in strangulation deaths than in hangings.

What does the process of algor mortis refer to?

Algor mortis refers to the continuous decrease in the body's temperature after death until it reaches the environmental temperature.

What is livor mortis?

Livor mortis is the process of blood settling in parts of the body closest to the ground after death.

What is the significance of potassium levels in ocular fluid?

Potassium levels in ocular fluid can help indicate the time of death.

What is forensic anthropology?

Forensic anthropology examines and identifies human skeletal remains through the durable nature of bones and individual characteristics.

What role do insects play in forensic investigations?

Forensic entomology is used to estimate the time of death by examining the oldest stage of fly found on a body.

What must be done when human remains are discovered at a site?

The site must be treated as a crime scene and secured, searched, and processed carefully.