chapter 5 Forensics

Forensic Pathologist

Investigative personnel who examine the cause, manner, and time of death of victims; conduct autopsies; and testify in court.

Autopsy

A surgical postmortem examination performed to ascertain the cause of death, involving examination of the body, organs, and bodily fluids.

External Examination ("View")

Preliminary examination of the body's condition and clothing without internal dissection, including injury classification and possible toxicology testing.

Internal Examination

Dissection and examination of internal organs to determine trauma and collect samples for further analysis, typically involving a Y-shaped incision.

Blunt Force Injury

Injury caused by a non-sharpened object, resulting in abrasion or bruising (contusions).

Sharp Force Injury

Injury from weapons with sharp edges, including cuts (longer than deep) and stabs (deeper than long).

Asphyxia

Death caused by interference with oxygen intake, such as hanging, carbon monoxide poisoning, or sexual choking.

Petechiae

Pinpoint hemorrhaging often observed in victims' eyes during cases of asphyxia.

Gunshot Wounds

Injuries resulting from projectiles fired by firearms, characterized by gunpowder residue and wound appearance.

Substance Abuse (Overdose)

Death resulting from drug misuse, commonly identified through toxicological tests.

Cause of Death (COD)

Medical reason for death, e.g., injury, disease, substance abuse.

Manner of Death (MOD)

Circumstances under which death occurred, classified as natural, accidental, suicide, homicide, or undetermined.

Algor Mortis

Cooling of the body postmortem, typically at 1-1.5°F per hour until reaching environmental temperature.

Livor Mortis

Postmortem pooling of blood in body parts closest to the ground, noticeable from 20 minutes to 16 hours after death.

Rigor Mortis

Postmortem stiffening of muscle tissue, appearing within 24 hours and resolving by approximately 36 hours.

Forensic Anthropology

Examination of human skeletal remains to determine sex, age, race, skeletal injuries, and assist with facial reconstructions.

Forensic Entomology

Study of insects at crime scenes to estimate the time since death (postmortem interval) based on insect life cycles, particularly blowflies.

Postmortem Interval (PMI)

The estimated time elapsed since a person's death, often determined by insect development stages and environmental conditions.

Blowfly

Commonly studied insect in forensic entomology, known for laying eggs on deceased remains that develop into larvae (maggots).

Toxicology Examination

Tests conducted on bodily fluids and tissues postmortem to detect and measure drugs, alcohol, or toxins.

Evidence Collection (Autopsy)

Items typically collected include victim's clothing, fingernail scrapings, hair samples, bullets, swabs for DNA and gunshot residue analysis.