Basic Knowledge
Name 2 fields forensic pathologists need to be trained in.
-toxicology( detection of poisons or drugs)
- ballistics and their wound(the motion and effect of the projectiles, eg the bullet entered from here)
- trace evidence( fibers, body fluids, gunshot residue, hair, fingerprints, etc)
-serology(blood or other bodily fluids)
- DNA technology( comparing the DNA to a suspects DNA or use DNA to identify victims)
What is PMI?
PMI is the post-mortem interval, which is also the time since death(the time between death and discovery).
What are the 4 types of trauma injuries?
Sharp force, blunt force, projectile, and thermal trauma.
What is a forensic pathologist?
A forensic pathologist is a medical doctor who performs autopsies to determine any suspicious causes of death.
What is 1 way evidence can be collected?
photographs, in a bag, etc.
What is serology the study of?
Serology is the study of blood or other bodily fluids.
What is rigor mortis?
Rigor mortis, which is the stiffness of the body caused by the depletion of ATPwhich provides energy for cellular processes.
What is projectile trauma? Name 2 characteristics of it.
Projectile trauma comes from high-speed projectiles penetrating the skin. They are evident from embedded things in the skin and penetrating wounds.
What is an anthropologist?
An anthropologist studies the skeletal system and sometimes cartilage.
Why is it important for evidence to be handled properly?
To prevent cross contamination, be admissible in court, etc
What are the 2 parts they usually run tests on?
Organs and tissue.
What are 3 factors that should be considered when determining PMI?
A person's weight, gender, age, etc and environmental factors
In uncertain cases of firearm deaths which 2 tests are ordered too clarify things.
In cases of uncertainty or homicide cases, a postmortem(after death) CT is ordered with a ballistics analysis to help provide information on bullet trajectories and the factors of the shooting, which help the flow of the autopsy.
What are lacerations?
Lacerations are from blunt force trauma
What is one of the best pieces of trace evidence?
Glitter is easily transferable and hard to wash off.
What are the 5 categories that forensic pathologists can diagnose under?
Natural, homicide, suicide, accident, and undetermined.
What is autolysis?
Autolysis is the degradation of tissues by cellular enzymes.
What are the differences between the tip-first impact and the side-on impact of bullets?
Side-on impact often provides a more damaged entry/exit wound but less penetration to vital organs. Tip's first impact often causes more penetration.
What is algor mortis?
Algor mortis is the drop of body temperature
What happens in skeletonization?
Skeletonization, which is when the soft tissue decomposes, and the rest of the organs and such liquefy, leaving only the skeleton.
What are 3 other people or fields they work with?
law enforcement officers
toxicologists
forensic dentists
biochemists
pharmacologists
microbiologists
Name 3 microscopic post-mortem changes.
Cellular autolysis, morphological changes(abnormalities) in white blood cells, changes in blood sugar, changes in electrolyte levels, changes in enzyme activities, etc.
Name the 4 kinds of asphyxia.
suffocation(asphyxia from obstruction of respiratory functions or nto enough oxygen. smothering, choking, small spaces)
strangulation(asphhyxia from neck compression. hanging, manual or ligature strangling), mechanical(asphyxia from impaired breathing or unusual body position or neck compression)
drowning(asphyxia from liquid inhalation, which deprives oxygen),
other(autoerotic, incaprettamento, judicial hanging, mass suicide)
What is Werkgartners' sign in gunshot wounds?
Werkgartners' sign is the muzzle imprint mark caused by the force of the powder gases.
What is cyanosis?
Blue discoloration of skin, lips, fingers, etc, due to lack of oxygen in the blood.