Forensics Exam 2

what is oxidization

the loss of electrons

oxidizing agent

compound or molecule that allows for this loss of electrons to happen (gains the electrons)

oxidized

loss of electrons

after losing electrons you become..

reduced

triangle of fire

fuel temperature and oxygen

flashpoint

needed to start the fire

fire point

needed to maintain the fire

at what degree does a combustion reaction occur

1128 Fahrenheit or 609 Celsius

complete combustion

carbon dioxide produced and it rarely happens

incomplete combustion

carbon monoxide produced and it always happens

smoldering fire

small but oxygen can come in quickly in large amounts and produce a backdraft

backdraft

fire bursts out and looks like an explosion but is not

burning or flaming fire

large flames and visible smoke

causes of fire

natural, accidental, undetermined, incendiary

what is the least common cause of fires

natural

how to know if it is arson (4 things)

multiple points of origin, fire trail, accelerant in debris, and evidence of accelerant in smoke

first-degree burn

epidermis (least severe)

second-degree burn

dermis (2nd layer of skin)

third-degree burn

hypodermis (most severe and nerves destroyed )

Crow-Glassman scale level 1

still can tell it’s a body but burned

Crow-Glassman scale level 2

still body but some limbs are missing

Crow-Glassman scale level 3

usually just the torso is left

Crow-Glassman scale level 4

bits and pieces of body (ex. burnt leg or arm)

Crow-Glassman scale level 5

complete ash

what are the 5 stages of decomposition in order

fresh, bloated, decay, active decay, and skeletal

what happens in the fresh stage

rigor mortis, livor mortis and algor mortis

rigor mortis

stiffness of body

livor mortis

pooling of blood toward where the body is laying

algor mortis

gradual change in body temperature, match surrounding temperature

what is the goal of csi

collect evidence in a way that is admissible in court (NOT SOLVE CRIME)

procedure

secure scene, take pictures and notes, collect temperatures

suspect

person thought to be capable of committing a crime

accomplice

person associated with someone suspected of committing a crime

alibi

statement where a suspect was at the time of the crime

if someone dies who has authority over the body

medical examiner

what is the difference between medical examiner and coroner?

one is a doctor and the other gets elected

who can pronounce someone dead?

the medical examiner or the coroner

who is the first to arrive on scene?

first responders

primary crime scene

original location of criminal activity

secondary crime scene

alternate location where additional evidence may be found

macroscopic crime scene

large crime scene (room or house)

microscopic crime scene

many of these make up a macroscopic crime scene

manner of death

homicide, natural, accident, suicide, and undetermined

what degrees is the fridge at in an autopsy room?

4 degrees Celsius

post-mortem interval

never a specific time always an interval

ambient air temperature

proximity of the body about 1-4 ft off the ground

ground temperature

away from any body fluid

body surface temperature

place thermometer on top of body

underbody temperature

place thermometer between body and ground

maggot mass temperature

place in center of magot mass CAREFULLY!

soil temperature

where body was located and distance

point of origin

point where fire begins

what is the earliest phase of fire progression

incipient phase

area of origin

area of highest damage

accelerant

substance that causes a fire to start that would not ordinarily start

spoliation

intentional or negligent destruction or alteration of evidence

charring

tells where fire was (blackened appearance)

depth char

car is deepest near origin point