1. Chapter 8 Autopsy
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2. Introduction—Objectives
Discuss the history of coroners and medical examiners.
Describe the steps of a death investigation.
Discuss how laboratory tests are used to determine the contributing factors that led to someone’s death.
Compare and contrast collection of biological and nonbiological evidence during an autopsy.
Describe the organization and structure of the autopsy report.
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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3. Introduction—Vocabulary
algor mortis - postmortem (after death) cooling of the body
autopsy - a postmortem examination of the body, including dissection to determine cause of death
cluster - a group of wounds
postmortem interval (PMI) – the interval of time between when death occurs and the body is discovered
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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4. Madison Rutherford In 1998, Rutherford drove his car off the road.
The car caught fire and Rutherford died.
A $7 million life insurance policy would go to his wife, but only after an investigation.
An autopsy revealed:
the skull fragments were in an unlikely position
the bones indicated arthritis
the dentures records didn’t match
Rutherford faked his death.
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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5. Introduction When the cause of death is unclear or suspicious:
the government requires a death investigation
performed by the medical examiner or the coroner
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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6. Introduction
By law, deaths occurring under these circumstances must be investigated:
Violent crime, suicide, or accident
Within 24 hours of entering a hospital or having surgery
A natural death when a doctor is not present or the patient is not under the care of a medical facility
Occurs in police custody or in a correctional facility
Results from a communicable disease that may pose a threat to public health.
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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7. Introduction Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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8. Historical Events (Obj 8.1)
Two systems of death investigation exist in the US
The coroner system dates to 12C England; sometimes the position:
is an elected official
requires a medical doctor
requires a forensic pathologist.
The medical examiner system dates back to 1870
an experienced physician with
advanced training in pathology
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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9. A Death Investigation (Obj 8.2, 8.3, 8.4)
A preliminary investigation is conducted at the death scene.
The body is transported to the morgue, where the medical examiner examines the body and performs an autopsy.
The medical examiner orders lab tests on biological evidence collected during the autopsy.
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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10. At the Death Scene Draw sketches of the body at the scene
Take photographs of
the scene
the victim’s face
the underside of the body
Document signs of trauma
Estimate time of death
Postmortem Interval (PMI)
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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11. Postmortem Interval
The time between the death and the discovery of the body
Evaluate livor mortis and rigor mortis
Look for scene markers
Collect evidence
Establish a chain of custody
Interview the victim’s family
Check medical records and police reports
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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12. Medical Examination Arrival at the morgue Cause of death
Update the chain of custody:
when the body arrives,
who transported the body, and
who received the body
Cause of death
Mechanism of death
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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13. External Examination Investigate clothing and body Order X-rays
Biological evidence—material from living or once-living sources
Nonbiological evidence—material from nonliving sources
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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14. Autopsy Algor mortis—postmortem cooling of the body
Temperature generally falls 1.5ºF every hour until the body reaches ambient temperature
Determine body temperature
At the crime scene—rectally
At the crime lab—in the liver
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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15. Autopsy Time since death (in hours) =
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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16. Autopsy Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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17. Collecting Evidence Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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18. Collecting Evidence Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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19. Collecting Evidence Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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20. Evidence Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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21. Laboratory Analysis
Toxicology—the science related to the detection of drugs, alcohol, and poisons
Histology—the study of tissues
Neuropathology—the study of disease and trauma associated with the nervous system
Serology—the study of blood, semen, and other body fluids (for legal matters)
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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22. Toxicology Alcohol—gas chromatography Barbiturates and narcotics
Presumptive screening—urine immunoassay
Confirmatory test—gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Tranquilizers—gas chromatography
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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23. Histology Slice tissue into very thin sheets Stain the tissue samples
Eosin (acidic)—for basic structures;
Cytoplasm appears pink
Red blood cells appear bright red
Hematoxylin—binds to structures (e.g., ribosomes and the nucleus)
Together—detect cancers
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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24. Histology Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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25. Neuropathology
More than half of all deaths encountered by medical examiners are associated with the nervous system
Common examinations:
Brain trauma
Brain cancer
Alzheimer’s
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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26. Serology A forensic serologist may investigate:
Infections caused by blood-borne pathogens
Blood-typing
DNA profiles
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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27. The Autopsy Report (Obj 8.5)
Heading
External Examination
Evidence of Injury
Internal Examination
Findings and Opinion
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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28. Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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29. Autopsy Report Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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30. Chapter Summary
In the US, the coroner or the medical examiner leads the death investigation when the cause of death is unclear or suspicious.
Manner of death is classified as:
natural,
accidental,
suicide,
homicide, or
undetermined.
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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31. Chapter Summary The three steps of a death investigation include:
determination of the events that surrounded and led to the death,
internal and external examination, and
laboratory analysis.
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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32. Chapter Summary
An autopsy is performed if the cause of death is not known in order to:
document injuries,
exclude other causes of death, and
determine factors that contributed to death.
Biological evidence is material from sources that are living or were once living.
Nonbiological evidence is material from nonliving sources.
Forensic Science II: Autopsy, Chapter 8
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