Death and Stuff

Death - The cessation of life. Current law sides with the absence of brain function.

Brain Death A brain deprived of oxygen survives for 3 to 7 minutes. It the first organ to die due to lack of oxygen. After a few minutes, the brain can't be brought back to life.

Examples: Handouts

Cause of Death - The biological reason for a person’s death Cause of Death - The biological reason for a person’s death. (heart attack, kidney failure, cancer, etc.)

Manner of Death One of four means someone dies. Natural – Disease etc.– ½ of all cases Accidental – Unplanned Suicidal Homicidal – Death caused by another Undetermined – Drug overdose

Coroner/Medical Examiners Duty Determine time of death (TOD) Determine cause and manner of death. Establish identity and sign death certificate. Conduct autopsy. (if necessary) Correlate wounds with weapons that may have been used. Provide expert testimony in court.

Forensic Investigator Work with the medical examiner Obtain body temperature Take photos Collect evidence at scene or on body Transport body Help with autopsy

Autopsy Approval from family is not needed if the autopsy is related to a crime. Unusual, unexpected, or traumatic death The most accurate method available to determine the cause of death.

Mr. Kalmus meets Dr. Baden

Dr. Cyril Wecht Dr. Kalmus Dr. Rzeznick Dr. Wooley Dr. Baden

Determining Time of Death Post Mortem Interval (PMI)– Time since death Pallor mortis Skin color Algor Mortis Livor Mortis Rigor Mortis Insect life cycle

Pallor Mortis A paleness which happens in those with light skin almost instantly because of a lack of capillary circulation throughout the body. The blood sinks into the lower parts of the body. Develops rapidly so it is of no use after a 30 minute time span.

Pallor Mortis

Skin Color From 48 hours after death, bacteria begins to breed on the skin, giving the skin a greenish tone Starts in lower stomach, spreading outwards, affects the hands and feet last. 4-7 days after death the skin acquires a marble-like appearance because the veins in the body become closer to the surface and become more visible.

Color continued Red – Carbon Monoxide or cold temps Purple – Heart attack, shock, or asphyxia No color change – Compressed blood vessels (strangulation).

Carbon monoxide poisoning(redness)

How does carbon monoxide kill? When it is breathed in, it displaces the oxygen levels in the blood. Vital organs including the heart and brain do not get enough oxygen. Can kill in minutes.

Livor mortis The pooling of blood in tissue after death resulting in a reddish skin color. Begins within a half hour and is most evident within 12 hours.

Livor Mortis Helps to determine if body was moved.

Algor Mortis Cooling of a body after death. Depends on: Surrounding temperature Humidity Air Movement Fat level, Clothing, etc.

The less time since death, the less variables affecting the prediction. h = (98.4OF – Internal temperature) 1.5

h (hours) = (98.4OF – Internal temperature) When did they die? Use the formula below: h (hours) = (98.4OF – Internal temperature) 1.5 A body is found in a field. It’s temperature is 95.4. 2 hours A body is found in a dumpster. It’s temperature is 89.4 6 hours Which example is probably more accurate? Why?

Rigor Mortis A stiffness in the muscles that occurs shortly after death. Lasts for 36 hours. Least reliable indicator of time of death. Order – Eyelids, jaw, neck, then spreads to the rest of the body. Recedes after 6 – 12 hours The greater the activity the more quickly it occurs.

Rigor Mortis – Hands were holding a shotgun.

Insect Life Cycle Blow Flies and other insects help to determine time of death.

Blow Fly – Carrion laying fly They can find a body within one to three days.

Metallic green or blue Fly up to 12 miles to find carrion for egg laying. Females feed on protein from corpse before laying eggs.

Blow Fly Life Cycle (Temperature dependent)

Eggs 2 mm long Resemble rice balls Hatch between 12 hours and 2 days Usually hatch during the day

Larva (Instars) One of three larval stages of insect development. (maggot) Feed on the dead corpse Usually seen between days two and five.

Pupa Typically found underground. Can take up to 14 days until adult emerges.

Estimating TOD Utilizing The Blow Fly Life Cycle (70 F) Eggs – 12 – 24 hrs. old 1st Instar – 2 days old 2nd Instar – 3 days old 3rd Instar – 5 days old Pupa – 10 days old

Facts Blowflies have "holometabolous" development. Multiple stages. (Egg, Larva, pupa).

Body Farm Forensic Anthropology Research Center located at the University of Tennessee. (Body Farm) Headed by Dr. William Bass. Study factors that contribute to body decay.

Sun, shade, under water, car trunks, buried underground, etc. After decomposition is complete, skeletons are catalogued. Largest collections of skeletons

Video links #1 Exploding whale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0SbrDQUTvU  Maggot leg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8uYE6TJ5X8 Rebecca O'Flaherty Solving a Crime - 10News San Diego https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tKJthDNMTY Forensic Entomology (2:45) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dntO3YANo18&feature=related

The Body Farm Videos The Body Farm - Study of Human Decomposition (4:09) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_SiqND9bNA  Secrets of the body farm (45 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PilVvwGlN68 Body Farm (3:42) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkNdCSW1n_g Body Farm (11:46) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDU0X9VVQn4 Fox files – How climate can effect bodies (3:44) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxit-Zjxmyk&feature=related