Pathology

Medical Examiner (ME)

Pathologist who specializes in forensic (legal) medicine related to criminal issues. performs autopsies.

Mechanism of Death

The specific body failure that leads to death.

Asphyxia

Deprivation of oxygen for tissue use; suffocation. A mechanism of death.

Algor Mortis

The temperature of the body after death. Used to calculate TOD.

Initial Decay

Corpse appears normal on the outside, but is starting to decompose from the actions of bacteria and autolysis.

Butyric Fermentation

Corpse is beginning to dry out. Most of the flesh is gone.

Entomology

The scientific study of insects. Can be used to calculate TOD using blow flies.

Dry Decay

Corpse is almost dry. Further decay is very slow from lack of moisture.

Putrefaction

Known as the bloat stage. Gas from the previous stage starts to build up. This pressure inflates the body and forces fluids out of cells and blood vessels and into the body cavity.

Ambient Temperature

The temperature of the surrounding environment.

Livor Mortis

The pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a discoloration of the skin. Starts at 2 hours and becomes permanent (no shifting) at about 8 hours.

Time of Death (TOD)

When the person died

Manner of Death

One of four means by which someone dies (natural, accidental, suicidal, or homicidal).

Coroner

A public official who investigates death. They file death certificates and request autopsies.

Death

The cessation, or end, of life.

Cause of Death

The immediate reason for a person's death (such as heart attack, kidney failure).

Exsanguination

Loss of blood to the point where life can no longer be sustained. A mechanism of death.

Rigor Mortis

Stiffness of the body that sets in several hours after death. A body follows the 12-12-12 rule. Full rigor at 12 hours.

Decomposition

A chemical reaction that breaks down compounds into simpler products.

Black Putrefaction

Very strong odor; parts of skin appear black, gases cause the chest and abdominal cavities to burst and collapse, fluids leak out of body cavities, eyeballs liquefy, skin sloughs off.

Autolysis

Self-destruction of cells; decomposition of all tissues by enzymes of their own formation without microbial assistance/

Autopsy

An examination of the body after death usually with such dissection as will expose the vital organs for determining the cause of death.

Pathology

A medical field that studies death disease.

Post Mortem Interval (PMI)

How long between death and the discovery of the body.

Saponification

A chemical process that causes the fat of the body to form into a soapy material and preserves the body.

Adipocere

Waxy fat; happens with bodies under water

Forensic Taphonomy

Concerned with study of decomposition of human remains, particularly in context of burial sites.