1. Livor Mortis Defined as ‘Color of Death’. Coloration of the skin.
At death, the heart stops working. When the heart stops working, the blood stops pumping and the red blood cells and plasma gather on the bottom part of the body, closet to the floor.
A line forms after 8 hours if the body hasn’t been moved. If moved, a new line starts to form. It is impossible to tell which was first.

2. Algor Mortis Defined as ‘Coolness of Death’. Temperature of body.
In a controlled environment, stating at 98.6 degrees, the body will drop one degree per hour.
This happens because at death, the respiratory system stops working, the body stops functioning, it is no longer moving.
When taking the temperature of a corpse, you can’t take it in the mouth because the muscles will be relaxed and the tongue wont stay on top of the thermometer.
Thinner people cool faster then fat people.

3. Rigor Mortis Defined as ‘Stiffness of Death’. Flexibility of the body.
Shows up 2 hours after death
Peaks 12 hours after death.
Takes hours for entire rigor mortis effect to take place.
The eyelids are affected first, the the jaw, face, trunk, arms, legs.
Ends after hours.

6. Autopsy Process
In certain cases such as child abuse, spinal injury, and subtle blunt trauma more extensive dissection and removal may be completed
Other specialized techniques

8. Obtaining Appropriate Specimens
Toxicology requires adequate specimens for testing
Blood is usually taken from aorta or heart
Urine from the bladder
Vitreous humor from eyes
Information from medical history, witness statements, scene examination, and autopsy may be used to search for other drugs or poisons
P 36

10. Microscopic Examination
Small portions of organs are put into a solution of formaldehyde to preserve them for study
Diseased or injured sections of tissue are taken, as is normal tissue
Tissue is encased in paraffin and mounted on slides with H&E dye for examination under light microscope

13. DNA Analysis
Most coroners and medical examiners preserve one specimen of tissue for DNA analysis
If tissue sits in formaldehyde for too long, DNA becomes hydrolyzed and unsuitable for study
DNA embedded in paraffin blocks or cut into sections and made into slides will not further decompose
P 37

14. DNA Collection Methods to accomplish this:
Blood spotted on absorbent paper allowed to dry then stored in envelope
Pull head hairs, including bulbs, and place in envelope
Cut hair has mitochondrial DNA, bulbs include nuclear DNA

15. Report Preparation
Forensic Pathologists provide a written report of each autopsy
Gross examination- can be seen by unaided eye
Microscopic examination- requires a microscope
Forensic Pathologists dissect, prepare notes and diagrams, receive reports, and dictate final autopsy report
P 39

16. Gross Autopsy Reports Should contain information regarding:
Discussion of external examination
Medical treatment evidence on body
Evidence of injuries
Dissection technique
Diagnoses based on gross autopsy 39

17. Case Presentation
driver of a semi-tractor trailer transporting diesel fuel who was involved in a motor vehicle collision on the I-74 interstate in Shelby County, Indiana

18. Burn victim with surgical escharotomy

19. Burn victim with surgical escharotomy

20. Scientific Identification

21. CASE

22. Soot below vocal cords

23. CASE
Black soot-like material within bilateral bronchial system and larynx
Cherry-red blood
Pink discoloration of muscles
No evidence of blunt force trauma
Upper and lower jaws with partial fragmentation
Extensive full thickness thermal burns to entire body
Postmortem toxicology negative for drugs of abuse panel
Positive dental identification made by Dr. Edwin Parks 

24. Cause and Manner CAUSE OF DEATH MANNER OF DEATH
CAUSE OF DEATH
Asphyxia due to smoke inhalation and thermal injury to entire body
MANNER OF DEATH
Accident

25. Amputation of Right Hand with soft tissue avulsion

26. Blunt injury- Liver rupture.

27. Stab wounds Mechanism Extent of Injury Severe injury
Sharp: Tissue disruption
Blunt: Crush injury
Extent of Injury
Weapon size, length, sharpness, penetration
Severe injury
Chest, Neck, and abdomen
4+ wounds

28. Stab wounds Mechanism Extent of Injury Severe injury
Sharp: Tissue disruption
Blunt: Crush injury
Extent of Injury
Weapon size, length, sharpness, penetration
Severe injury
Chest, Neck, and abdomen
4+ wounds

29. Hesitation Marks—think suicide

30. Testimony
Forensic pathologists may spend considerable time testifying as to their findings
In criminal court, testimony of a forensic pathologist is almost required
In civil court, forensic pathologists may be called upon to testify as a result of torts (civil wrongs) alleged to have caused death 39

31. Testimony
Forensic pathologists either give testimony via subpoena for civil cases, or via their presence in court for criminal case
Forensic pathologists also testify as expert witnesses in cases where they did not examine body of deceased 40

32. Testimony
Forensic pathologist subject to ad hominem attacks by opposing counsel
Ad hominem- attack on person themselves instead of their testimony

33. Conclusion Questions or comments ????????