2/22/18
Forensic Pathology Branch of pathology which applies medical knowledge to the court of law. Forensic Pathologist are Physicians who are trained in pathology and specialize in forensics. Perform medicolegal autopsies Issue death certificates and report, cause and manner of death, offer expert opinion in court. Team Members: Forensic Pathologists, Investigators, Autopsy technicians, Toxicologists, DNA Iab, Anthropologists, Forensic dentist.
Forensic Autopsy -Examination of a dead body to determine cause and manner of death -Cases of sudden, unexplained, suspicious or violent death. -Delaware code title 29, Chapter 47
When does a Medical Examiner get involved ( In Delaware) Death, call police, they report to scene with forensic investigator (contacted), autopsy vs. release, funeral home. Who needs a forensic autopsy? Somebody dies, police, police reports sometimes suspicious, they contact ME for autopsy.
Death Scene Investigation -Forensic Investigator goes to the scene (Depends on the case.) - Photography, conducts family friends, witness interviews, and collects and transports the mody to ME. -Obtain Medical Information. -Maintains close contact w family if needed -Scenes must be attended (pathologist or forensic investigator) in homicides, suspected homicides or suspicious body deaths. -Scene and body are photographed -Position of body is noted in relation to nearby objects, presence of weapons, blood spatter, wounds, suicide notes, meds. -Body is placed in body bag which is sealed to maintain chain of custody.
Cause and Manner of Death Cause: Why Manner: How Natural Accident Suicide Homicide
Undetermined Pending Investigation
Example: COD: STROKE , MOD: NATURAL
Determining COD AND MOD -70 YO male, long history of alc. Abuse found dead at the bottom of the steps. Medical records reveal 5 er visits for falls in the last 8 mos. On autopsy head trauma observed COD: Blunt force trauma to head. ETOH level 0.25 mg/dl MOD: 6 MOD: alc.
42 yr old female, history of alc. Abuse found dead @ bottom of steps. Interview of neighbors: allegedly involved in altercations previous nights, med records revel er visit for broken nose and Iaceration repatin on cheek 2 mo ago. On autopsy: numerous bruises, head trauma and cirrhotic liver. COD: BLUNT FORCE HEAD TRAUMA MOD:
Identification -Known Family Documents, drivers license.
Unknown -Due to decomposition -Missing person -Found in remote area -Burned or mutilated bodies.
Postmortal Interval (PMI) Time Elapsed since death. -Liver Mortis -Rigor Mortis -Core body temp -Degree of Comp -Insect Activity -Animal Activity -Scene Investigation
Lividity Reddish-Purple discolor in dependent areas of the body due to gravity. Areas resting against firm surface will be pale Evident within 30 min-2hr after death. -Not fixed
Reaches max 8-12 hr -Fixed
Tardieu Spots -Small Hemorrhages due to ruptured small blood vessels Rigor Mortis: Stiffening of muscles due to disappearance of metabolic energy source within cells (ATP) and accumulation of lactic acid -Appears 3-6 hr after death, fully developed by 12 hr. First in small muscles, eg face, jaw. May last 18-36 hour Influenced by activity prior to death, temp, clothing, preexisting conditions.
Rigor Mortis: RAPID Heavy exercise Seizures Fever, Infection Poisons Electrocution DELAYED: Cold temp,