forensics hosa 25'

Coroner

The government agent responsible for death investigations in English-speaking countries.

Medical Examiners

Individuals replaced coroners in Massachusetts in 1877, and they must be licensed to practice medicine.

Forensic Pathologists

Physicians specializing in pathology and the law and medicine related to the cause of death.

Cause of Death

The disease or injury that initiated the chain of events leading to death.

Mechanism of Death

Biochemical or physiological abnormality produced by the cause of death that is incompatible with life.

Manner of Death

The fashion in which the cause of death came to be, including natural, accidental, homicidal, or suicidal.

Rigor Mortis

The stiffening of muscles that occurs after death due to chemical reactions in the body.

Livor Mortis

Discoloration of the body due to the settling of red blood cells after circulation stops.

Algor Mortis

The cooling of the body after death.

Autopsy

The dissection of a human body to determine the cause of death.

Necropsy

Another term for the dissection of a dead body.

Traumatic Death

Deaths that can result from mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical causes, or asphyxia.

Mechanical Trauma

Death caused by the application of physical force exceeding tissue tensile strength.

Sharp Force Injury

Injuries produced by a sharp instrument that creates incised wounds.

Blunt Force Trauma

Injury caused by a blunt object that results in lacerations.

Electrical Trauma

Death caused by the passing of electricity through a person.

Chemical Trauma

Deaths due to the use of drugs and poisons.

Thermal Trauma

Death caused by exposure to excessive heat or cold.

Hypothermia

Excessive cold that can lead to death.

Hyperthermia

Excessive heat that can cause death.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a constant internal temperature.

Forensic Toxicology

The study of drugs and their effects on the body, particularly in relation to death and legal cases.

Post-Mortem Interval (PMI)

The time that has elapsed since a person has died.

Decomposition

The process by which dead organic matter breaks down into simpler forms of matter.

Cadaveric Spasm

A phenomenon where the muscles of a deceased person contract at the moment of death.

Circumstantial Evidence

Evidence that implies a fact but does not prove it directly.

Forensic Anthropology

The application of skeletal analysis in legal contexts, particularly in determining identity.

Entomology

The study of insects and their roles in the decomposition process, useful in estimating PMI.

Agonal Phase

The period just before death involving gasping and changes in normal respiratory patterns.

Skeletal Remains

The bones left after decomposition, which can provide information about the deceased.

Blunt Force Injury

An injury caused by a non-sharp object impacting the body, leading to contusions or lacerations.

Incised Wound

A cut that is longer than it is deep, typically caused by a sharp object.

Contusion

Bruising caused by bleeding under the skin due to blunt force trauma.

Laceration

A tear or a cut in skin or soft tissue, often caused by blunt force.

Asphyxia

A condition arising from a lack of oxygen, often related to drowning or choking incidents.

Wound Ballistics

The study of the effects of projectiles on the human body.

Homicidal Death

Death resulting from the acts of another person with intent to kill or cause serious harm.

Suicidal Death

Death that is intentionally self-inflicted.

Accidental Death

Death resulting from unforeseen events or mishaps.

Natural Death

Death caused by natural processes such as disease or aging.

Autolysis

The process where cells break down due to the action of enzymes after death.

Ballistic Trauma

Injury caused by a projectile or bullet.

Mortuary Science

The study and management of funeral services and mortuary practices.

Hypostasis

The pooling of blood in the lowest parts of the body after death.

Forensic Odontology

The study of dental records and bite marks to identify deceased individuals.

Mass Disaster Investigation

The process of managing and identifying victims in large-scale tragedies.

Criminalistics

The application of scientific methods to solve crimes, particularly through physical evidence.

Victimology

The study of victims and the patterns of how they become victims of crime.

Forensic Psychology

Study that applies psychology to legal issues, including the mental state of criminals.

Subdural Hematoma

A collection of blood between the brain and its outermost covering, often resulting from blunt trauma.

Stab Wound

A deep puncture in the skin made by a knife or other sharp object.

Terminal Illness

A disease or condition that is expected to lead to death.

Cremation

The process of burning a body to reduce it to ashes, often as a form of disposal after death.

Death Certificate

An official document confirming a person's death, detailing the cause and manner.

Mortuary Pathology

The examination of bodies to determine cause of death post-mortem.

Toxicology Report

A document that tests body fluids and tissues for drugs, poisons, or other substances.

Perimortem Injuries

Injuries sustained at or near the time of death.

Forensic Chemistry

The application of chemistry in criminal investigations, particularly in substance analysis.

Biometric Identification

The use of biological traits for identifying individuals, relevant in forensic cases.

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

The sudden and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, often classified as natural.

Epidemiology

The study of how diseases and injuries affect the health and illness of populations.

Forensic Entomology

Using insect life cycles and behaviors to help determine time of death.

DNA Profiling

A forensic technique used to identify individuals based on their unique genetic makeup.

Circumstantial Evidence

Evidence that requires an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact, rather than direct proof.

Forensic Evidence

Any evidence that is collected and analyzed to be used in a legal context.

Primary Crime Scene

The original location where a crime was committed.

Secondary Crime Scene

Any other location that may be related to the crime.

Chain of Custody

The documented process that tracks the handling of evidence from the time it's collected until it is presented in court.

Acute Trauma

Severe injury that occurs suddenly as a result of an external force.

Chronic Trauma

Long-term injuries or conditions resulting from repeated trauma.

Soft Tissue Injury

Damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, or fascia, often due to force.

Hematoma

A localized swelling filled with blood, usually resulting from a broken blood vessel.

Decedent

A deceased person.

Mortuary Practices

Customs and rituals associated with the handling and disposition of the deceased.

Anthropometry

The measurement of the human body for forensic identification.

Body Farm

A research facility where decomposing bodies are studied to understand decay patterns.

Trauma Center

A hospital equipped to provide critical care to those with severe injuries.

Causation

The relationship between cause and effect; critical in determining the cause of death.

Choking asphyxia

Asphyxia caused by obstruction of the airway, often by food or foreign objects.

Drowning asphyxia

Asphyxia caused by immersion in water, preventing normal breathing.

Behavioral Analysis

Assessment of behavioral patterns to understand criminal actions and motivations.

Pathophysiology

The study of how disease processes affect the function of the body, crucial in understanding cause of death.

Legal Death

A term indicating that an individual has passed away, recognized by law.

Indeterminate Cause of Death

A situation where no clear cause of death can be established.

Fatality Review

An in-depth examination of death cases to discover preventable causes.

Forensic Accounting

The use of accounting principles for legal purposes, particularly in fraud cases.

Chronic illness

A long-term health condition that may contribute to the cause of death.

Post-Mortem Examination

The examination of a body after death to determine the cause and manner of death.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

A serious condition caused by bacterial toxins, often related to tampon use or skin infections.

Cadaveric Changes

Physical changes that occur in a body post-mortem, including rigor mortis and livor mortis.

Forensic Science

The application of scientific methods and principles to solving crimes.

Suicidal Ideation

The consideration or planning of ending one's own life.

Aggressive Trauma

Trauma resulting from an attack or conflict with another person.

Protective Order

A legal order to prevent someone from contacting or approaching another individual, often used in domestic violence cases.

Clinical Autopsy

An examination of the body performed to determine the cause of death for medical purposes.

Dying Declaration

A statement made by a person who believes they are about to die, which may be used as evidence in court.

Homicide Investigation

The process of collecting evidence and conducting interviews to solve a murder.

Victim Advocate

A professional who supports victims of crime throughout the legal process.

Forensic DNA Analysis

The use of DNA evidence to identify individuals in criminal cases.

Ballistic Evidence

Any type of evidence related to firearms, ammunition, or projectiles.