Caylee Anthony Autopsy Report

Overview of Case

  • Decedent: Caylee M. Anthony

  • Case Number: ME 2008-001567

  • Manner of Death: Homicide

  • Cause of Death: Homicide by undetermined means

  • Identification Method: Nuclear DNA comparison by FBI (from right tibia)

  • Age:

    • At Disappearance: 2 years, 10 months

    • Anthropologic Estimation: 3 years ± 6 months

  • Sex: Female

  • Race: White

  • Birth Date: August 9, 2005

  • Date of Death (Discovered): December 11, 2008

  • Examination Dates: December 11, 2008 - December 23, 2008

Medical Examination Team

  • Performed By:

    • Jay C. Draga, M.D.

    • San C. Garavaglia, M.D. (Chief Medical Examiner)

    • Gary Lee Utz, M.D. (Deputy Chief Medical Examiner)

    • John Schultz, Ph.D. (Osteological Examination)

    • Michael Warren, Ph.D., D. ABFA (Osteological Examination)

    • Bruce A. Goldberger, Ph.D. (Toxicology Examination)

Findings

  • Condition of Remains:

    • Remains were completely skeletonized and found in a wooded area

    • Associated with plastic trash bags and a canvas laundry bag

    • Bones exhibited postmortem scattering, with vertebrae clustered away from the skull and bags

    • Duct tape was found around lower skull regions, still attached to hair

    • Adipocere: minimal found on several bones

Examination Details

  • Vertebral and other anatomical units: Found disarticulated and some intermixed with cash, dirt, and vegetative material

  • Evidence of Animal Activity: Clustering of vertebrae and other skeletal units suggesting disturbance after decay started

Duct Tape Findings

  • Description: Over the anterior part of the lower skull, retained with scalp hair

  • Implications: Suggests prior placement before skeletonization halted and indicated method of keeping mandible in place

Toxicology Analysis

  • Detected no drugs in toxicology testing:

    • Specimens included bone from left femur and various hair samples

    • Further described as cancellous bone scrapings, soil, cranial cavity washings

Conclusion and Opinion

  • While exact cause of death cannot be definitively established due to disarticulation and lack of antemortem trauma, the manner of death is determined to be homicide based on circumstances:

    • Child not reported missing until approximately 30 days after last seen

    • Remains found in a location consistent with short-term placement after disappearance

    • Duct tape suggests foul play prior to skeletonization

    • Postmortem conditions indicate remains were likely introduced into the environment several months before discovery

Scene Recovery Overview

  • Recovery Dates: December 11, 2008 - December 20, 2008

  • Key Actions:

    • Initial recovery by OCSO Forensic Unit with assistance from medical examiners

    • Various human bones were identified and collected from multiple recovery sites within woodland area

  • Taphonomic Observations: Patterns observed suggested the body was dumped before significant decay occurred

  • Postmortem damage by animals noted as remains were scattered across the scene

Inventory of Skeletal Components

  • Notable skeletal recoveries included:

    • Skull with hair mat and duct tape

    • Femoral diaphyses indicating animal interference

    • Various hand/foot bones suggesting scattered anatomical units during decay analysis

Notes on Skeletal Analysis

  • Anthropological Findings:

    • Age estimation consistent with Caylee Anthony's age at disappearance

    • No significant signs of trauma or pathology noted upon examination of bones

    • Time since death estimated based on environmental conditions and skeletal conditions

Environmental and Taphonomic Factors

  • Conditions Impacting Decomposition:

    • Warm, humid Florida climate affecting decay rates

    • Seasonal leaf fall indicating time of exposure prior to discovery

    • Roots and soil adherence giving evidence of time in situ

Examination of Materials Discovered

  • Clothing: Remnants of toddler-sized shorts and items consistent with young child's belonging were found intertwined with remains and bags

  • Plant Material: Elements of vegetative growth were present indicating the remains' duration in the wooded environment post-death.

References for Evaluation

  • Various studies cited regarding child skeletal growth, taphonomic conditions, and forensic examination methods were noted by involved medical and forensic anthropologists.