Manner of Death
What are the five Manners of Death?
Homicide, Suicide, Natural, Accidental, Undetermined
What is a mechanism of death?
The specific change in the body that lead to the cessation of life
When is a forensic autopsy conducted?
Unusual/suspicious death
What are the 5 methods of estimating time of death
Rigor Mortis, Algor Mortis, Livor Mortis, cloudiness in the eye, and Stomach contents
State the manner of death;
Death by overdose of a first time user of alcohol
Accidental
What might be the mechanism of death behind a lethal beating to the head with a heavy object?
Cease of brain function
What is an autopsy?
An autopsy is a medical examination to determine the cause and manner of death.
Define Rigor Mortis
stiffening of the joints and muscles of a body a few hours after death, usually lasting multiple days after death.
State the manner of death;
Sudden death of an elderly individual with heart issues
Natural Causes
What might be the mechanism of death behind a shooting
Cessation of brain function, or loss of blood, or damage to vital organs
What are the types of autopsies
The two types of autopsies are clinical and forensic
Define Algor Mortis
The loss of heat from a body
When is a death marked undetermined?
In some cases, the medical examiner cannot make the determination and, if it is clear no crime was committed, marks the manner of death as undetermined on the death certificate.
What would be the mechanism of death behind a strangling?
Loss of oxygen to the brain or damage to tracheal region.
Who performs autopsies?
Medical examiner (sometimes coroner)
Define livor mortis
he bluish-purple discoloration (lividity) under the skin of the lower body parts due to gravitation of blood after death
What are the likely manners of death if an individual is found with a GSW in their head region (cranial cavity)
Homicide or Suicide
What is the largest cause of accidental poisonings?
Opioid/drug overdoses
What stage of decomposition involves the release of waste gases and fluids?
Putrefaction/Bloating phase
What degree of heat is lost per hour during the first 12 hours of death
0.78 degrees Celsius per hour