Forensic Investigations and Determining Cause of Death

These flashcards cover key concepts from forensic investigations related to death, the role of medical examiners, types of trauma, and methods for estimating time of death and determining biological characteristics.

What is the main difference between a coroner and a pathologist?

A coroner is often not specially trained and is appointed, while a pathologist is a trained physician certified to conduct autopsies.

What is an autopsy?

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

What is the purpose of documenting and photographing a crime scene?

To preserve evidence and reconstruct events related to the investigation.

What is Livor Mortis?

It is a medical condition that occurs postmortem resulting in the settling of blood in areas of the body closest to the ground.

What types of trauma can cause blunt force injuries?

Abrasions, contusions, and lacerations, often resulting from non-sharp or broad objects.

What is the significance of potassium levels in the vitreous humor?

Potassium levels help estimate the time of death by indicating how much time has passed since death.

What are the distinguishing features of male and female pelvises?

Female pelvises have a wider pelvic outlet and larger angles compared to male pelvises, which are narrower.

What is asphyxia?

Interference with the intake of oxygen, which can result in death.

How can forensic entomology help in an investigation?

It can estimate the time of death by examining the developmental stages of insects present on the body.

What information can skeletal remains provide in forensic anthropology?

They can provide insights into a victim's sex, approximate age, race, height, and type of injury.

What is Rigor Mortis?

The stiffening of muscles that occurs after death due to chemical changes, typically appearing 2-6 hours postmortem.

What is Algor Mortis?

The gradual cooling of the body after death until it reaches ambient temperature.

What are sharp force injuries?

Injuries caused by objects with sharp edges, such as knives or glass, resulting in cuts, stabs, or incised wounds.

What is forensic odontology?

The application of dental science to legal investigations, primarily for human identification through dental records or bite mark analysis.

What are the five manners of death?

Natural, accidental, suicidal, homicidal, and undetermined.

What is the difference between the cause of death and the mechanism of death?

The cause of death is the specific injury or disease that leads to death, while the mechanism of death is the physiological derangement produced by the cause of death that results in death (e.g., hemorrhage, sepsis).

What are the main postmortem stages of decomposition?

The main stages include fresh, bloat, active decay, advanced decay, and skeletonization.

What is forensic toxicology?

It is the study of drugs, poisons, and other toxic substances in biological samples to determine their role in cause or manner of death, impairment, or other legal contexts.

What are common types of firearm injuries?

Firearm injuries can include gunshot wounds characterized by entrance, exit, and potentially intermediate-range wounds, as well as soot and stippling patterns depending on range.

What factors can influence the rate of Algor Mortis (body cooling)?

Factors include ambient temperature, body size and fat distribution, clothing, and air movement.

What is the main difference between a coroner and a pathologist?

A coroner is often not specially trained and is appointed, while a pathologist is a trained physician certified to conduct autopsies.

What is an autopsy?

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

What is the purpose of documenting and photographing a crime scene?

To preserve evidence and reconstruct events related to the investigation.

What is Livor Mortis?

It is a medical condition that occurs postmortem resulting in the settling of blood in areas of the body closest to the ground.

What types of trauma can cause blunt force injuries?

Abrasions, contusions, and lacerations, often resulting from non-sharp or broad objects.

What is the significance of potassium levels in the vitreous humor?

Potassium levels help estimate the time of death by indicating how much time has passed since death.

What are the distinguishing features of male and female pelvises?

Female pelvises have a wider pelvic outlet and larger angles compared to male pelvises, which are narrower.

What is asphyxia?

Interference with the intake of oxygen, which can result in death.

How can forensic entomology help in an investigation?

It can estimate the time of death by examining the developmental stages of insects present on the body.

What information can skeletal remains provide in forensic anthropology?

They can provide insights into a victim's sex, approximate age, race, height, and type of injury.

What is Rigor Mortis?

The stiffening of muscles that occurs after death due to chemical changes, typically appearing 2-6 hours postmortem.

What is Algor Mortis?

The gradual cooling of the body after death until it reaches ambient temperature.

What are sharp force injuries?

Injuries caused by objects with sharp edges, such as knives or glass, resulting in cuts, stabs, or incised wounds.

What is forensic odontology?

The application of dental science to legal investigations, primarily for human identification through dental records or bite mark analysis.

What are the five manners of death?

Natural, accidental, suicidal, homicidal, and undetermined.

What is the difference between the cause of death and the mechanism of death?

The cause of death is the specific injury or disease that leads to death, while the mechanism of death is the physiological derangement produced by the cause of death that results in death (e.g., hemorrhage, sepsis).

What are the main postmortem stages of decomposition?

The main stages include fresh, bloat, active decay, advanced decay, and skeletonization.

What is forensic toxicology?

It is the study of drugs, poisons, and other toxic substances in biological samples to determine their role in cause or manner of death, impairment, or other legal contexts.

What are common types of firearm injuries?

Firearm injuries can include gunshot wounds characterized by entrance, exit, and potentially intermediate-range wounds, as well as soot and stippling patterns depending on range.

What factors can influence the rate of Algor Mortis (body cooling)?

Factors include ambient temperature, body size and fat distribution, clothing, and air movement.

What is a contusion?

A bruise; a type of blunt force injury caused by blood vessel rupture beneath the skin, resulting in discoloration.

What factors can influence the onset and duration of Rigor Mortis?

Factors include ambient temperature, body's metabolic state at death (e.g., strenuous activity), age, and muscle mass.

How is ancestry typically estimated from skeletal remains in forensic anthropology?

Through the analysis of cranial and dental features, as well as specific skeletal measurements.