Studied by 9 people
Cold Death
First demonstrable change after death is cooling of the body
Not a reliable indicator as to the time of death due to the different temperature of the environment
1st hour
next 12hrs
next 12-18hrs
Lack of ATP regeneration and increased lactic acidity
the glycogen stores are rapidly depleted, preventing ___
head & neck → small muscles → larger muscles
complete and fully fixed
Dissipates
Fixed rigor mortis of the upper extremities wherein the arms are suspended against gravity indicating they were previously held in that position during time of death
Blood supply gravitates to the skin vessels which become toneless and dilate after circulation ceases
deep purple-red discoloration in the skin
occurs in gravity dependent areas of the body that come into contact with firm surfaces
Becomes evident as early as ___
rate of settling of red blood cells
Fully evident
fixed
Blood settles down in the lowest elevation of the body
pink to purple discoloration
blood pooling in dependent areas of the body
Auguste Ambroise Tardieu
ecchymoses; subpleural spots of ecchymosis that follow the death of a newborn child by strangulation or suffocation
purple to black spots
rupture of capillaries
After death, the skin and mucosal membranes may desiccate resulting in a change in color and character of these tissues
horizontal linear scleral blackening along the equator of the globe of the eye
sclera is exposed to drying when the eyelids are incompletely shut
initially red in appearance and over time becomes black
Lips, tip of tongue and scrotum darken with postmortem drying
scalp
straight line incision from chin to pubic symphysis
starts from the acromion and meets at the xiphoid process and continues up to the pubic symphysis
made from suprasternal notch to symphysis then extends over clavicle to its center on both sides and passes upwards over neck and behind the ear
To expose:
chambers of the Heart
inner lungs
inner liver
urinary bladder cavity
GIT lumen
organs removed and dissected individually
order of examination
in-situ dissection in part combined with en bloc-technique
analysis/study on site
en bloc Technique - only get a portion
en masse Technique - complete removal
get a sample using a needle
Multiple percutaneous needle biopsies after death
investigation with tissue sampling
extensive organ sampling or removal via a limited incision
red vessels, areas with mass, areas with blockage, etc.
Wet Tissue
Paraffin blocks, Slides, Reports
Wet Tissue
Paraffin blocks, Slides, Reports, Gross Photos, Dried Blood stain or frozen tissue for DNA
Body Fluids & Tissues for Toxicology
