Autopsy Forensics Vocab

Abrasion

A scrape on the skin caused by rubbing against something rough.

Algor Mortis

The cooling of the body after death.

Antemortem

Before death (injuries or conditions that happened while the person was alive).

Asphyxia

Lack of oxygen that causes death or unconsciousness.

Autopsy

A medical examination of a body after death to find the cause of death.

Contact Wound

An injury caused when a gun is fired with the muzzle touching the skin.

Contusion

A bruise; bleeding under the skin caused by a blow.

Coronary Arteries

Arteries that supply blood to the heart.

Coroner

An official who investigates sudden or unexplained deaths.

Decedent

A person who has died.

Distal

Farther away from the center of the body.

Edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid build-up in the tissues.

Embolism

A blockage in a blood vessel caused by a clot, air bubble, or fat.

Hematoma

A large, swollen bruise filled with clotted blood.

Laceration

A torn, jagged cut (not a clean cut like a knife slice).

Ligature

Something used to tie or strangle (rope, cord, belt, etc.).

Lividity (Livor)

Purple discoloration of the body after death as blood settles.

Livor Mortis

The process of blood settling in the lowest parts of the body after death.

Pathology

The study of diseases and causes of death.

Perimortem

Around the time of death (injuries that happen right before or during death).

Postmortem

After death.

Proximal

Closer to the center of the body.

Rigor Mortis

The stiffening of muscles after death.

Taphonomy

The study of what happens to a body after death (decomposition, burial, environment).

Virtual Autopsy

A digital autopsy using CT or MRI scans instead of cutting the body.