Autopsy Chapter 8

Deaths to be investigated violent crime, suicide, or accident w/in 24 hours of entering hospital, or as a result of surgery natural death w/ no doctor present or patient not under care of medical facility

Deaths to be investigated occurs in police custody or correctional facility from communicable disease that may harm public

investigation done by medical examiner or coroner at scene, ME does initial assessment of body ME - time of death & manner of death plus, signs of trauma, sexual assault, or a struggle

Figure 8-2. There are five possible manners of death. Manner of Death Description Natural Most common manner of death; body function failure as a result of age, illness, or disease Accident Unintentional Suicide Victim intentionally takes his or her own life; the cause of death is usually a gunshot, hanging, or poisoning Homicide One individual takes the life of another intentionally or through a negligent or reckless act; up to the court to determine whether the death is a murder; in certain circumstances, a person is justified in killing someone else in self-defense Undetermined The pathologist is not able to determine the manner of death, even after all internal and external examinations are completed and toxicological tests are evaluated

at ME’s office, chemical and physical tests to determine how died

History In 29 states, counties have coroner (elected) If MD, performs autopsy = postmortem examination of body, inc. dissection If not MD, forensic pathologist does autopsy

Coroner (“Crowner”) – 12th century England - protect people from sheriffs, oversee $ issues, investigate deaths, arrest suspects, decide fate of suspects – need for autopsy US settlers used this until 1870s

In 40 states, counties have ME (MD; also can be forensic pathologist) ME – autopsy 1st ME – appointed in Mass. 1870s 1st true Medical Examiner system – 1918 NYC Goal = determine cause and manner of death

Both – official reports on cause and manner of death, & time of death