HOSA FORENSIC SCIENCES 2024 FULL SET

Manner of death

NASHU

Cause of Death

Abnormal organ desc./drug concentrations

Mechanism of death - specific

the physiological derangement produced by the cause of death that results in death.

Algor Mortis

Cooling of the body postmortem

Livor Mortis

The pooling of the blood in tissues after death

Rigor Mortis

the stiffening of the body after death

Instar

one of the three larval stages of insect development

Pupa

stage between larva and adult

comatose

cool to the touch

Hemoglobin

Substance in RBCs that cary oxygen

Autolysis

breakdown of the cells after they self digest

Lividity Timing

2 hrs after death

Hotter temperature = ______ (Lividity)

Faster

Dual Lividity

occurs when the body is in 1 position for 2 hours after death then moved to a second position.

Rigor Mortis Starts from _____ to ____

Head, legs

When rigor mortis disappears

+36hrs

Time of death if no visible rigor

Body been dead for <2hrs OR >48hrs

Avg heat of Body

37 C / 98.6 F

Cooling of body 1 hr after death (temp rate/hr)

0.78 C / 1.4 F per hr

Cooling of body 12 hr after death (temp rate/hr)

0.39 C / 0.7 F per hr

Avg heat loss per hour

1 F / hr

Cooler body and speed of Rigor mortis

Slower onset of rigor

formula for the number of hours the individual has been dead

(98.6F - current body temp)/1.4F or (37C - current body temp)/0.78C

When discoloration becomes permanent

+8hrs

Heavier weight and speed of Rigor mortis

Slower rigor mortis

Factors that affect speed of Rigor Mortis

Illnesses, Physical activity, Sun exposure, Type Of Clothing, Sun exposure, Body fat

2-6 hrs after death-Rigor

Body becomes stiff and stiffness begins at the eyes and jaw muscles after 2 hrs

12 hours - Rigor

Peak rigor, Entire body is rigid

15-36 hrs - Rigor

Slow loss of rigor, rigor first lost in the head and last in the leg muscles

36-48hrs - Rigor

Rigor disappears, muscles relax, variablity is a possibility

Cold temp - Rigor

Inhibits rigor (slower onset)

Warm temp - Rigor

Acc. rigor (faster onset)

Thin body - Rigor

Acc. rigor

Obese body - rigor

Inhibits rigor (slower onset)

Aerobic exercises - Rigor

Acc. rigor (faster onset)

Sleep - Rigor

Inhibits rigor (slower onset)

Types of Evidence

Class, individual

Class evidence

Reduces number of pot. suspects

Individual evidence

Provides link to one suspect

3 types of death (toxicology)

Intentionally, Accidentally, Deliberately

Saliva test duration (detection)

UP to 72hrs

5 classes of controlled

hallucinogens, narcotics, stimulants, anabolic steroids, depressants

hallucinogens

Drugs that alter moods, thoughts, and sense perceptions (non-lethal)

Narcotics

drugs that get rid of pain and dull the senses (lethal)

Stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions (lethal)

Anabolic Ste

Builds muscle tissue

Frye Standard

rule of admissibility

Ways which drugs pass through body

ADME

Toxicogenomics

Persons genetic factor that affects the efficacy of a drug in their system

Osteobiography

The physical record of a person's life as told by his or her bones.

Forensic Anthropology

The study of physical anthropology as it applies to human skeletal remains in a legal setting.

Osteoblast

A type of cell capable of migrating and depositing new bone.

Epiphysis

The presence of a visible line that marks the place where cartilage is being replaced by bone.

Osteoclast

A bone cell involved in the breaking down of bone and the removal of wastes.

Joints

Locations where bones meet.

Mitochondrial DNA

DNA found in the mitochondria that is inherited only through mothers.

Ossification

The process that replaces soft cartilage with hard bone by the deposition of minerals.

Osteocyte

An osteoblast that becomes trapped in the construction of bone; also known as a living bone cell.

Osteoporosis

Weakening of bone, which may happen if there is not enough calcium in the diet.

Skeletal Trauma Analysis

The investigation of bones and the marks on them to uncover a potential cause of death.

Osteoblasts

Living cells forming bones by depositing minerals like calcium phosphate

Osteocytes

Trapped osteoblasts forming new bone framework

Osteoclasts

Bone cells specialized in dissolving bone and reshaping it

Coronal suture

Suture marking where the frontal and parietal bones meet

Zygomatic complex

Group of bones including the zygomatic arch and cheekbone

Occipital protuberance

Bony knob on the male skull for muscle attachment

Squamous suture

Suture between the temporal and parietal bones

Pelvis scars

Scars on a woman's pelvis from childbirth

Subpubic angle

Angle used to determine sex; >90° in females, <90° in males

Ileum

Bone forming the upper part of the hip bone

Sacrum

Triangular bone at the base of the spine

Femur

Thigh bone; thicker in males, straighter in angle

Epiphyseal plate

Cartilaginous line where bone growth occurs

Fontanelle

Soft spot on a baby's skull that gradually ossifies

Sagittal suture

Suture between the parietal bones of the skull

Mastoid fontanelle

Fontanelle located behind the ear

Humerus

Upper arm bone; fusion of its head to shaft indicates age.

Greater Trochanter

Part of the femur that first appears at age 4.

Clavicle

Bone in the shoulder region that closes at ages 18-24.

Pubis

Pelvic bone almost fully united at ages 7-8.

Ischium

Pelvic bone almost fully united at ages 7-8.

Lambdoidal Suture

Suture on the skull that closes between ages 21-30.

Sagittal Suture

Suture on the skull that closes at age 32.

Coronal Suture

Suture on the skull that closes at age 50.

Height Estimation

Calculating individual height from long bone measurements.

Anthropometry

Measuring bones for useful information; differs from Bertillonage.

Bertillonage

Traditional practice of measuring bones for identification.

Nasal Index

Ratio of nasal opening width to height, indicating race.

Prognathism

Projection of upper jaw beyond lower jaw, varies with race.

Arthritis

Joint inflammation causing pain and stiffness.

Scoliosis

Abnormal sideways curvature of the spine.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Genetic disorder causing brittle bones.

Caucasoid

One of three traditional racial categories based on skull characteristics

Mongoloid

One of three traditional racial categories based on skull characteristics

Shape of Eye Orbits

Different shapes of eye orbits: rounded, somewhat square, rectangular, or circular

Nasal Spine

Level of prominence of the spine in the nasal area

Facial Reconstruction

Process of rebuilding a face from the skeleton up for identification purposes

DNA Profiling

Using nuclear or mitochondrial DNA for identification purposes

Living Bones

Bones with flexibility and specific break patterns compared to dry bones

Male and Female Skeleton Differences

Various anatomical variations between male and female skeletons