Medicolegal Death investigation Final Review Questions Answered 100% correct

Medicolegal Death investigation Final Review Questions Answered 100% correct Medicolegal Death Investigation Manner and causes of death. Combination of medicine and law Coroner an official who investigates violent, sudden, or suspicious deaths with no federal mandation. 5 Different Categories of Manner of Death Natural Accidental Homicide Suicide Undetermined Natural Death caused by interruption and failure of body functions resulting from age or disease Accidental Death A death that is caused by unexpected or unintended means. Homicide the killing of one person by another Suicide act of killing one's self Undetermined Death death in which evidence does not clearly indicate the manner of death Cause of death The disease or injury responsible for the lethal sequence of events leading to death Mechanism of Death Physiological derangement that results in the death "gunshot wound but died from blood loss" Lividity (Livor Mortis) color change due to settling of the blood by gravity AKA "Color of death" -can occur within hours Algor Mortis -The cooling of the body after death How is algor mortis test? Sticking a thermometer into the liver What is normal body temperature? 98.6 Rigor Mortis the stiffening of the body after death Time frame of Rigor Mortis -Shows up 2 hours after death -Peaks after 12 hours -Takes 12-24 hours for entire rigor mortis -Ends after 24-36 hours Pallor Mortis Paleness of death "tone" -lack of circulation -happens 15-20 minutes after death Autopsy the examination of a corpse to determine the cause of death performed by a medical doctor. Gunshot suicide -Most effective way to commit -most common is to the head Drug Overdose Suicide -method is not very reliable, success rate is 2% Hanging Suicide -75% effective, but not as common Short Drop Susoension less brutal asphyxiation Drop Hanging Neck and spinal break (painful) carbon monoxide poisoning a toxic condition that results from inhaling and absorbing carbon monoxide gas -can happen in 15 minutes -highly flammable Suffocation/Asphyxiation - air does not reach the lungs and breathing stops drowning - leading cause of injury death in children 1-4 y.o. Jumping Suicides 2% of suicides Exsanguination bleeding to death "slitting wrist" Common mistakes in Suicide 1. Assuming the case is a suicide based on the initial report 2. Assuming "the suicide position" at the crime scene. 3. Failure to Conduct Victimology 4. Failure to apply the 3 basic consideration 5. Failure to conduct suicide notes 3 basic crime scene considerations 1. The presents of a weapon 2. Injuries or wounds that are obviously self-inflicted 3. The motive or intent on the part that the victim could take their own life. Blunt force trauma Severe traumatic episode to cause a sudden introduction to the body. signs of blunt force trauma bruising abrasions lacerations Abrasion A wearing away or rubbing away by friction. Ex. cuts, strawberries, carbet burn laceration a cut, tearing of the skin Defensive Wounds an injury received by the victim of an attack while trying to defend against the assailant Gunshot Wounds caused by bullets, other projectiles. Ex. Riffles, shotgun, or handgun Distant Entry Wound very "clean" Close Contact Entry Wound Stippling Hard Contact Entry Wound Charring Stippling burning dots from gunpowder Puncture Wounds clean cut, pointed ends, slashing Abusive Head Trauma (Shaken Baby Syndrome) - A baby's brain is vulnerable to damage when it bounces against its own skull, as when being shook, usually under 4-years -60-70% of perpetrators are male Difference between a death investigator an a corner Medical examiners are physicians, pathologists, or forensic pathologists with jurisdiction over a county, district, or state. They bring medical expertise to the evaluation of the medical history and physical examination of the deceased. A coroner is an elected or appointed official who usually serves a single county and often is not required to be a physician or to have medical training. Where does the word coroner come from? coroner is derived from Anglo-Norman corouner, the "guardian of the crown's pleas" Where can you get medicolegal death investigation certification from? St. Louis University pathologist a scientist who studies the causes and effects of diseases, especially one who examines laboratory samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes. Investigators procedure at scene 1. Exchange information 2. Scene processing request 3. Crime scene walk-through 4. Search and Trace evidence 5. Photography 6. Case files/notes 7. Sketches 8. Collection and labeling of evidence 9. Reporting Jobs of a mortician Meeting with clients to explain services, and to make funeral, and cremations. Arranging transport of deceased people to funeral home. Obtaining documents and permits related to embalming and funerals from various sources Forensic Disciplines Pathology, Chemistry, Toxicology, Biology, Radiology, Psychiatry, Psychology, Anthropology, Entomology, Archaeology, Botany, odontology, Engineering, Accounting, Nursing, Specialized Training Fields, CSIs Different Types of Child Deaths The leading causes of death of children under five include: Preterm birth complications (18%) Pneumonia (16%) Interpartum-related events (12%) Neonatal sepsis (7%) Diarrhea (8%) Malaria (5%) Malnutrition and Under nutrition