Death and decomposition forensics test

Death of individual body cells

Is a slow process that does not occur at the exact moment the heart or brain stops

Forensics death officials

1. Coroner
2. Medical examiner
3. Forensic Pathologist

Who is Michael Boten?

A forensic pathologist

Who is a Coroner and what do they do?

Is elected or appointed.

Job duties:

* Identifying the body
* Notifying the family
* Collecting and returning personal items
* Issuing a death certificate

What is a Medical Examiner?

must be a physician who oversees the death scene and pronounces the person as dead; can perform autopsies 

What is a Forensic Pathologist?

physician who specializes in deterring the cause and manner of an unexpected or undetermined death

Manners of death

1. Natural death
2. Accidental death
3. Suicidal death
4. Homicidal death
5. Undetermined

What is cause of death?

The reason sometimes dies

What is mechanism of death?

Describes the specific change in the body that brought about the ending of life

Stages of body changes after death

Stage 1: Stoppage

Stage 2: Autolysis, or Cell Self-Destruction

What is Algor Mortis?

The cooling of the body after death

What is the FIRST 12 hours after death

Body cools at a rate of .78\*C per hour

AFTER the first 12 hour after death

Body cools about .39\*C per hour until body reaches ambient temperature

What is ambient temperature?

Common temperature

What is room temperature in Celsius?

Around 22\*C

What is normal body temperature?

37\*C

How many degrees are lost in the FIRST 12 hours of death? 12 hrs x .78\*C/hrs

9\.36\*C

What Factors affect heat loss?

1. Cooler ambient temperature; body loses heat faster.
2. Warmer ambient temperature; body loses heat at a slower rate
3. If body is clothed, heat loss is slower.
4. If body is overweight, heat loss is slower.
5. If body is thin or very small, heat loss is accelerated.
6. In water, body cools faster than on land

What is Livor Mortis?

The pooling of the blood in tissues after death that is closest to the ground

What does Lividity first become noticeable?

2 hours after death

What does Lividity become permanent?

After 8 hours

What is Dual Lividity?

Lividity is found in 2 different areas of the body

What is Rigor Mortis?

The stiffening of the body after death

When does stiffening occur?

Within 2 hours to 6 hours after death

When is rigor complete?

12 hours

What is rigor uneven?

15-36 hrs

When is rigor absent?

36-48 hrs

What is an Autopsy?

A medical examination of a body to determine the cause and manner of death

What is a clinical autopsy?

When autopsies are done for medical research study purposes

What is a forensic autopsy?

autopsies are performed when foul play is suspected. Permission of the family is not needed in these cases

When does the stomach empties its contents into the small intestines?

Within 2-6 hours

When does food leave the small intestine?

Within 12 or more hrs

When does waste release through the rectum?

Within about 24 hours

What are the stages of Decomposition?

1. Fresh (initial)
2. Bloating (putrefaction)
3. Active decay (black putrefaction)
4. Advanced decay
5. Dry or skeletal

What are probable causes of Death Analysis?

1. Drowning
2. Overdose of opioids or heroin
3. Strangulation
4. Hanging
5. Carbon monoxide poisoning
6. Alcoholism
7. Blunt force trauma

Drowning

Bloody froth from mouth and nose along with shriveled skin

Overdose of opioids or heroin

White foam in mouth and nose from fluid buildup in the lungs

Strangulation

Petechial hemorrhages (red spots in the whites of eyes) form due to ruptured capillaries; broken hyoid bone; circular bruising and abrasions around base of neck

Hanging

Abrasions and bruising in a “V” under the chin; protruding tongue

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Skin, muscles and lips have a bright red color

Alcoholism

Jaundice color of the skin and a yellow liver

Blunt force trauma

Blown pupil or fully dilated pupil on the side of the head where the injury was sustained; bleeding under the membrane that surrounds brain 

What happened during flesh?

Insects lay eggs. Bacteria.

When do the eyes get cloudy after death if they are **OPEN**?

2-3 hours