Postmortem Examination Pt. 3

Quiz 1

Algor Mortis

Body temperature lowers after death

Algor mortis time

2-2.5 F/hr --- 1 hr

1\.5-2 F/hr --- 12 hrs

1\.0 F/hr --- 12-18 hrs above

General rule in 50% of cases for Algor Mortis

Body cools 1.5 F/hr after death

Rigor Mortis

Stiffening of body after death

Rigor Mortis time

Sets 2 hours

Fully stiffens in 6-12 hrs

Dissipates in 36-48 hrs

Anti-gravitational Rigor Mortis (Rigor Mortis in an unusual position)

Rigor Mortis sets in in an unusual position; indicates that the body has been moved post-humously

Livor Mortis

Pooling of blood after death

Blanching

Body parts with applied pressure turn white in Livor Mortis

Livor Mortis time

Seen 20 mins after death

Fully sets 4hrs to 8-12hrs

Livor Mortis similar principle in Lab

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

Other names of Livor Mortis

Postmortem Hypostasis

Lividity

First person to identify Tardieu spots

Auguste Ambroise Tardieu

Tardieu Spots

Purple to black spots that develop with Livor Mortis due to the rupture of capillaries

Tache Noir de la Sclerotique

Noir = black

Initially red in appearance but becomes black overtime

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Shows up if the eye isnt completely shut

Places where Tache Noir de la Sclerotique is observed

Eyes

Lips

Tip of tongue

Scrotum

Techniques of Autopsy for scalp

Mastoid-to-Mastoid incision

Techniques of Autopsy for Trunk

I shaped

Y shaped

Modified Y shape

Tool used to saw skull

Circular saw

Tool to cut sternal plate

Bone saw

I shaped

Chin to pubic symphysis

Y shaped

Acromion process to Xyphoid process then down to pubic symphysis

Modified Y shaped

Made from Suprasternal notch to Symphysis then extends to lower clavicle to its center on both sides and passes upwards over the neck, behind the ear

Technique of Virchow

Remove and dissect organs one-by-one from top to bottom

Technique of Rokitansky

Perform autopsy on site (in-situ) plus en bloc technique

What does en bloc mean

You take pieces of the organ instead of taking it all

In situ meaning

On site

Technique of Ghon

En bloc (takes small portions of organ instead of whole)

Technique of Letulle

En mass (complete removal)

Needle autopsy

Minimally invasive; you get a sample using a needle for analysis

Laparoscopic

Abdomen

Thorascopic

Chest