Misc.
What is the rate of temperature loss during the first 12 hours of death?
0.78 degrees celsius
the 5 manners of death?
Natural (the most common)
Accidental
Suicide
Homicide
Undetermined
Where and when does rigor mortis first start?
How many hours does it take for rigor mortis to be fully set?
Small muscles, like face and head. Within 2 hours of death
12 hours
What causes decomposition?
After cell death, bacteria break down tissues & release gas
What is the first insect to arrive after death? When does it do so?
Blow fly
Immediately (less than 8 hours to lay eggs)
A 911 call is made to police. Upon arrival to the crime scene (10:00 pm), investigators discover the body of a black male who has been hung. The liver temperature of the body registered 34°C. What was the approximate time of death of the victim?
3.8 hours ago...3 hours 48 minutes. Around 6PM.
37-34 = 3 degrees change (less than 12 hours so use 0.78 as rate of change)
3/0.78 = 3.8
the specific body failure that leads to a person's death
mechanism of death
When does livor mortis start?
How many hours does it take for livor mortis to be fully set?
within 2 hours LM will have spread
8 hours
During which stage of decomposition does the body start bloating and smelling?
Putrefaction
Forensic entomology becomes the most accurate way to determine time of death/post mortem interval after how many hours?
72 hours
Approximately how many hours has a person been dead if they exhibit livor mortis, but no rigor mortis is present?
over 36 hours
An elderly woman dies after being kept from receiving proper health care by her children. The manner of her death would be:
homicide
How much heat is lost from a body at standard ambient air temparatures in the first 12 hours?
9.86 degrees C
During which stage of decomposition has the body lost all hair?
Dry Decay
egg -->first instar (larva stage 1) --> second instar (larva stage 2) --> 3rd instar (larva stage 3) --> pupa --> adult....egg and start all over!
The body of a runner was found in the park one early, hot summer morning. The ambient temperature was 89°F (far above normal room temperature). The body displayed rigor in the face and neck area. Which of the following is the BEST prediction for TOD?
1-2 hours (rigor normally sets in after 2 hours but heat will increase the rate of rigor)
An elderly woman in her mid-70's was walking to the local drugstore. On her way, a man shoved her as he walked by and stole her purse. She was not injured in the altercation but was clearly shaken up. About 10 minutes later, she began to experience shortness of breath and chest pain. She was taken to the emergency room. While she was being examined, she developed and irregular heartbeat and died.
Manner: Homicide
Cause: heart attack
Mechanism: heart stopped
What are three factors that will increase the rate of algor mortis?
colder ambient temparatures
being in water
being naked
wind
being thin
What are the 6 stages of decomposition
1. Living
2. Initial decay - 0 to 3 days after death
3. Putrefaction - 4 to 10 days after death
4. Black putrefaction - 10 to 20 days after death
5. Butyric fermentation - 20 to 50 days after death
6. Dry decay - 50-365 days after death
How many hours/days after death will you see blow flay larva stage 2?
58 hours or 2.5 days roughly
eggs are laid within 8 hours, 23 hours to become larva stage 1, and 27 hours to become larva stage 2
Where is the Body Farm located?
Who founded the Body Farm?
Bonus: What is it's real name?
Knoxville, Tennessee
Dr. Bill Bass
The Forensic Anthropology Center
As Laura was sitting in the living room texting her friends, she heard the sound of breaking glass. Laura grabbed a baseball bat that was propped up in the corner and went to investigate. As she rounded the corner to the kitchen, she saw an intruder coming toward her, wielding a very large knife. To her surprise, she raised the bat and crushed his skull. Laura called 911, and police and paramedics responded within minutes. Unfortunately for the intruder, it wasn't fast enough and he died from bleeding in the brain before they arrived
Manner: homicide
Cause: blunt force trauma/bludgeoning/crushing his skull
Mechanism: bleeding in the brain
What are 3 factors that will accelerate rigor mortis?
warm air temperature
exercise
being thin (less muscle mass)
A waxy substance produced during the decomposition of dead bodies exposed to moisture.
adipocere
In order to provide the most accurate estimate of postmortem intervals at a crime scene, which type of larvae should be collected?
the oldest, largest larvae