MVC's
What is the estimated speed of a vehicle before hitting the wall, if there is 12" of intrusion
12 mph
In suicidal hangings, why does the face appear pale rather than cyanotic or swollen?
Total suspension with feet off of the ground
What does the presence of a 'battle sign' usually indicate
Basilar skull fracture
A forensic term that describes the small, superficial wounds created when unburned gunpowder particles penetrate the skin at close range
Stippling/tattooing
What internal complications can be expected in nearly all cases of blunt force trauma, particularly involving skeletal fractures
Fat Embolism
In a pedestrian bumper impact, what does the orientation of a wedge-shaped tibial fracture typically indicate
direction of vehicle traveling
Minimum amount of pressure required to occlude the carotid arteries and jugular veins
5-6 lbs
Why should you not estimate an exact TOD based on the color of a bruise
Healing rates and color progression are highly variable
When examining clothing for a contact wound, what is a characteristic sign that the fabric is made of synthetic material?
Melted edges around the hole
What is a brush burn abrasion
A frictional force from rubbing against a rough surface
How can a driver of a vehicle often be identified through their footwear following a crash?
Identifying the imprint patterns of gas and brake pedals
What anatomical feature is most frequently fractured during manual strangulation
Hyoid bone
A F.P finds a 'ring fracture' at the base of a skull. What is the most likely mechanism of injury?
A fall from a height where the victim lands on there feet
In contact wounds involving revolvers or semi-automatic pistols, what causes the star-shaped appearance
blast effects
Which skull fracture is specific to vertical impacts rather than being the most common side-to-side fracture
Ring Fracture
At what speed range do 'stretch marks' or superficial skin tears typically appear in the groin or lower abdomen of a struck pedestrian
25-30 mph
A body recovered from a fire shows a distinct strip of undamaged skin around the neck. What does this suggest?
Ligature was in place during the fire
What classification of traumatic death is defined specifically by the deprivation of O2 to the brain?
Asphyxia
What does 'shored' mean
Exit wound with marginal abrasions caused by a firm object pressed against the skin
How can a driver of a vehicle often be identified through their footwear following a crash?
Identifying imprint patterns of the gas and brake pedals
In run-over accidents involving the head, what determines if an ear avulsion starts at the front or the back of the ear
The direction of the vehicle rolls relative to the victim
What are the visual characteristics of fingertip bruises in manual strangulation
Dime-sized and fuzzy at the edges
What specific injury pattern is characterized by two parallel lines of bruising with an uninjured space of skin between them
Tramline Bruises
Why do high-powered rifles cause internal destruction more severe than handguns
The creation of a temporary cavity due to the high velocity
What should be suspected if a fire victim has extensive charring on the face and teeth but significantly less damage to the chest and abdomen
The use of accelerant