#1
What is the difference between premortem and postmortem?
Premortem is before death while postmortem is after death
What should always be the first step in any investigation before evidence is collected?
Take a picture
What should every good evidence picture include?
A scale
What is the first step in investigating a dead body?
Identify the body
A coroner must possess a medical degree. True or false?
False
Who typically conducts autopsies?
Forensic Pathologists
What is the shape of the incision made during an autopsy?
Y
What is anthropology?
The study of bones
How are the organs removed during an autopsy?
All at once then dissected on the lab table
A forensic pathologist is an elected official who does not need to be approved by a medical board. True or false?
false
What is rigor mortis?
In postmortem times, over the first 12-24 hours the body stiffens then over the next 24 hours the body relaxes
What is livor mortis?
The measure of blood pooling in the lowest point of a deceased body
What is Algor mortis?
The measure of the amount of temperature lost from the body postmortem.
What is forensic entomology useful for in terms of pathology?
The study of the insect's lifecycle can help determine time of death
Why would a toxicology report be conducted during an autopsy?
If the pathologist or investigator suspected poison or drug use
What would be the manner of death if someone died of chronic disease?
If someone was murdered by gunshot, what would be the cause of death?
gunshot wounds
How would you expect a blunt force injury to be noted on a decedent?
bruises
How would you expect a sharp force injury to be observed on a decedent?
stabs and cuts
Why is it important for investigators to use extreme caution when deeming the cause of death to be accidental?
Sometimes it can be staged to make a homicide appear as an accidental
If someone were murdered, what would the manner of death be?
Homicide
The stage of decomposition where bacteria and external organisms begin breaking down the corpse.
Putrefaction
The stage of decomposition where the cells break themselves down.
Autolysis
A dead body is found with rigor in 100% of the body. Likely how long ago was death?
12-24 hours ago
If a body is found under normal conditions with a temperature of 96.6 F at 8PM, what was likely the time of death assuming a loss of 1 F per hour?
6 PM