Forensic Autopsy Essentials

Forensic autopsy

Required for homicide or public health threat

Reference range

Needed to reduce false positives in diagnostic tests

Pharmacogenomics

Study of gene response to medications

SOP

Abbreviation for Standard of Practice

Toxicological analysis

Used if poisoning is suspected in a victim

Mortis

Latin term meaning death

Livor mortis

Blood settling by gravity after death

Livor mortis position

Determines death position based on blood settling

Centrifuge

Separates elements in blood samples

Toxicologist

Tests samples to detect poisoning in autopsies

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments

Amendment for technical standards and guidelines

Stomach contents

Helpful in determining time of death

Hair root

Used to isolate DNA in forensics

Rigor mortis

Body stiffness after death onset

Forensic anthropology

Uses pelvis width to determine skeleton gender

Chromosomes

Humans have 23 pairs

Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act

Protects against genetic discrimination

Rapid diagnostic tests

Include pregnancy, drug, and covid tests

Forensic entomologist

Identifies eggs/larvae on bodies for time of death

FDA

Regulates home medical tests

Reference range

Average normal values for a test

Karyotype

Chromosome set examination technique

Cell culture

Tests for best antibiotic to treat infections

Forensic Psychiatrist

Addresses suspect's sanity or competence