Cause, Manner, and Mechanism
What is the actual injury that led to the person's demise.
Cause of Death
Who retains jurisdiction over the body?
The medical examiner's office
Forensic autopsy
What is the cooling of the body after death?
Algor Mortis
Postmortem interval
Who determines the cause of death?
Name all four crime scene search methods.
Spiral, zone, grid, and line
What is the preferred method of identification?
Fingerprints
Name the five stages of decomposition.
Early/Fresh, Bloat, Active, Advanced, Skeletonization
What is the path of insect succession?
Beginning at the head and moving down
Which degree? An individual sells someone fentanyl and the recipient overdoses.
Second degree murder
How should a firearm be collected from the scene?
The firearm should be unloaded and zip tied then placed in a cardboard box.
How many points of radiographic congruency are needed to confirm an identity?
Four
At which stage is decomposition likely not visible on the outside?
Early/fresh
Which method of PMI estimation is most accurate for early stages of decomposition?
Algor mortis
Which manner of death is most common?
Natural
Give a scenario where the medical examiner's office would deny a case.
Anything
Name three pieces of evidence that would be collected at autopsy from a gunshot wound homicide.
bullets, blood standard, hair standard, clothing, fingernail clippings, scalp hair from around gunshot wound entrance for gunpowder analysis
Which stage of decomposition does skin slippage occur?
Bloat
Which method of PMI estimation is most accurate for 72+ hours postmortem?
Forensic entomology
What would the mechanism of death be for chronic alcoholism/liver failure?
Electrolyte derangement leading to multiple organ system failure
List in proper order:
Document scene as is
Document and collect evidence individually
Arrive on scene
Initial walkthrough
Briefed by first responders
Thoroughly search scene for additional evidence
Arrive on scene
Briefed by first responders
Initial walkthrough
Document scene as is
Thoroughly search scene for additional evidence
Document and collect evidence individually
Name three procedures of documentation a medical examiner will complete before burying an unidentified body.
Front and side photographs of the face, photographs of tattoos or other unique features, complete sets of fingerprints, full body x-rays, dental x-rays, and a sample of tissue taken for possible future DNA analysis.
At which stage of decomposition do scavengers appear?
Advanced decay
What is the rule of thumb in regards to using algor mortis for PMI estimation?