Forensics

What is the purpose of the bell in 19th century England?

To prevent premature burial by alerting someone if buried alive.

What does PMI stand for and what does it measure?

Postmortem Interval; the time elapsed since death.

When is a coroner or medical examiner called?

When death involves suspicious circumstances, unknown cause, or unnatural death.

What is the role of a pathologist?

A trained forensic specialist who examines bodies to determine the cause and manner of death.

What are the five manners of death?

Natural, accidental, suicidal, homicidal, and undetermined.

What is the definition of cause of death?

The reason a person died, such as injury, disease, or heart attack.

What is the mechanism of death?

The specific body change that leads to death, like cardiac arrest from a heart attack.

What occurs during Stage 1 of the process of death?

Heart stops, blood flow ceases, leading to anaerobic respiration and cell rupture.

What is algor mortis?

The cooling of the body towards ambient temperature after death.

What factors influence the rate of body cooling?

Body size, clothing, fluid retention, and environmental conditions.

What is livor mortis?

The pooling of blood due to gravity, causing lividity, or discoloration of the skin.

When does rigor mortis begin and how long does it last?

Begins around 2 hours after death, peaks at 12 hours, and disappears after 36-48 hours.

What is putrefaction?

Decay or rotting due to bacteria and enzyme activity after death.

What is the purpose of an autopsy?

To determine the manner and cause of death, performed by a forensic pathologist.

How is forensic entomology utilized in investigations?

By studying insects to estimate the PMI and provide evidence in forensic cases.

What are the stages of decomposition?

Fresh, bloated, active decay, advanced decay, and dry/skeletal.

What do blowflies do at a crime scene?

Detect decomposition gases, lay eggs in body openings, and their larvae feed on tissues.

What affects PMI estimation using insects?

Temperature, humidity, rainfall, sunlight/shade, wound presence, and toxins.

How can DNA be retrieved from badly burned or decomposed bodies?

By obtaining it from larvae feeding on the victim.