Forensic Pathology and Decomposition Lecture Notes

Vocabulary practice covering the terminology of forensic pathology, mortis types, decomposition stages, and methods for determining time of death based on lecture notes.

Cause

The injury or disease resulting in death, such as Smothering.

Manner

The designation of death, which can be accidental or homicide.

Mechanism

The derangement of the body that results in death, such as blood loss.

Accidental (Manner of Death)

A death resulting from unexpected or unforeseen circumstances.

SHAUN

An acronym representing the five types of manners of death: Suicide, Homicide, Accidental, Undetermined, and Natural.

Dr. Eugene Bochut

The inventor of the stethoscope.

PMI

The time between death and the attempt to ascertain the Time of Death (TOD).

Pallor Mortis

The paleness of the body occurring within $15-20\,\text{min}$ after death.

Algor Mortis

The cooling of the body to room temperature, occurring up to $6\,\text{hrs}$ after death.

Rigor Mortis

The rigidity of the body caused by ATP depletion and lactic acid buildup involving a onset of $2-4\,\text{hrs}$ after death and lasting $18-36\,\text{hrs}$.

Livor Mortis

The pooling of blood in lower regions of the body causing reddish coloration, starting $2-4\,\text{hrs}$ after death and lasting $8-12\,\text{hrs}$.

Caspers Dictum

A rule of decomposition stating that $1\,\text{wk}$ in air is equal to $2\,\text{wks}$ in water, which is equal to $8\,\text{wks}$ buried.

Autolysis (Decomposition Factor)

The process where digestive enzymes break down tissue, starting first with the pancreas.

Putrifaction

A process occurring $24-48\,\text{hrs}$ post-mortem where foul odors are produced as tissue liquefies and the body bloats.

Staining (Stage of Decomposition)

A stage occurring $2-3\,\text{days}$ after death where the right side of the body takes on a green coloration and the body begins to swell.

Bloat (Stage of Decomposition)

A stage occurring $3-5\,\text{days}$ after death characterized by gas formation, marbling (vessels turning brownish), and decomposition fluids coming out of orifices.

Active decay

A stage occurring $5-11\,\text{days}$ after death where hair and teeth fall out and tissue liquefies.

Advanced decay

A stage occurring $11-25\,\text{days}$ after death where the decomposition process slows down.

Skeletonization

A stage occurring within weeks of death where the body dries out and produces a cheesy smell.

Adipocere

A wax-like film that forms in bodies in wet/moist environments during advanced decay, which preserves the corpse.

Mummification

A process that turns skin into leather and can slow decay.

Corneal Film

An ocular change occurring within minutes with the eyes open and hours with the eyes closed.

Tachy Noir

An ocular change occurring within minutes to hours.

Corneal Clouding

An ocular change occurring in hours with the eyes open and $12-24\,\text{hrs}$ with the eyes closed.

Vitreous Potassium Formula

$$(7.14 + K\,\text{concentration}) - 39.1\,\text{hrs} = \text{TSD}$$

Corporal Evidence

Evidence found on or in the body.

Environmental Evidence

Evidence found in the close vicinity of the body.

Amanestic Evidence

Evidence based on the victim's habits or behavior.

Rate Method (TOD)

A method to determine time of death based on indicators.

Concurrence Method (TOD)

A method to determine time of death based on outside evidence such as a watch, receipt, mail pile-up, or calendar items.