HOSA Terminology

Pallor Mortis

Body becomes pale 15-30 minutes after death due to a lack of blood flow 

Livor Mortis

known as lividity; A settling of the blood in the body after death due to gravity (occurs in usually organs or gravity-dependent portions of the body)

Algor Mortis

Reduction of the body’s temperature after death; Avg. body temp is 37 degrees C; body will match the external temperature.

Rigor Mortis

Limbs of the body stiffen, before relaxing, stiffening more firmly, before a final t relaxing (2-36 hour period)

Stages in Rigor Mortis

(2-8 hrs, 8-12 hrs, 12-24 hrs, 24-36 hrs)

• 2-8 hours -> body begins to become stiff but remains able to move

• 8-12 hours -> muscles become entirely stiff

• 12-24 -> muscles stay solid but slightly flexible

• 24-36 -> stiffness disperses and muscles become flexible

Five Stages of Decomposition

1. Fresh/Self digestion (1-3 days postmortem)

2. Bloat (3-5 days postmortem)

3. Active Decay

4. Advanced Decay

5. Skeletonization

Five Manners of Death

Natural, Accidental, Suicide, Homicide, Undetermined (NASHU)

Natural Death

• results from illness or an internal malfunction of the body not directly caused by external force

  • Ex. cancer, heart attack, etc.

Accidental Death

caused by an accident such as a slip/fall traffic collision, or accidental poisoning

Suicidal Death

act of intentionally causing ones own death

Homicidal Death

Act of killing another person

Ex: first-degree murder, armed robbery, traffic accident w/other car DUI

Undetermined

When clauses can not determine manner of death (temporary)

Pending

temporary classification until substantial evidence has been obtained.

Cause of Death

disease or injury or condition that caused death

Ex: blunt force trauma to head

Mechanism of Death

physiological derangement that results in death

Ex. Extreme blood loss caused by a gunshot wound

Time of death

• Unknown hour -> temp lost / rate of algor mortis (1.4 F/hr)

• Time of death -> time of autopsy - unknown hour

Immediate Cause of Death

final disease of injury or complication causing the death

What effect do opiates have on body that is fatal?

They depress respiratory system that can shut down body. This can cause to hypoxia, leading to death.