1. The Postmortem Examination (Autopsy): The External, or Visual, Examination

2. The Autopsy: Introduction Starts with a description of the deceased’s clothing, photographs (including close-ups) of the body both clothed and unclothed, and a detailed examination of the entire body Starts with a description of the deceased’s clothing, photographs (including close-ups) of the body both clothed and unclothed, and a detailed examination of the entire body Any trauma is noted on a form where the pathologist can make notes, sketches, or record measurements; damage to clothing should correlate to trauma in the same area on the body Any trauma is noted on a form where the pathologist can make notes, sketches, or record measurements; damage to clothing should correlate to trauma in the same area on the body Gunshot wounds are recorded, for example, to indicate entrance and exits wounds and the path of the bullet through the body Gunshot wounds are recorded, for example, to indicate entrance and exits wounds and the path of the bullet through the body

3. The Autopsy: Introduction Defensive wounds that are trauma caused by the victim trying to defend himself or herself against an attacker are also noted Defensive wounds that are trauma caused by the victim trying to defend himself or herself against an attacker are also noted When the clothing is removed, care is taken to preserve any trace evidence that may be later submitted to a forensic science laboratory When the clothing is removed, care is taken to preserve any trace evidence that may be later submitted to a forensic science laboratory Wet clothes are suspended to air-dry at room temperature Wet clothes are suspended to air-dry at room temperature Folding wet clothes may alter important evidence patterns, such as blood stains, and promote growth of bacteria (which can damage potential DNA evidence Folding wet clothes may alter important evidence patterns, such as blood stains, and promote growth of bacteria (which can damage potential DNA evidence

4. The Autopsy: Introduction The age, sex, ancestry, height, weight, state of nourishment, and any birth- related abnormalities are noted during the external exam The age, sex, ancestry, height, weight, state of nourishment, and any birth- related abnormalities are noted during the external exam The body is also checked for death-related phenomena that may provide information to the investigation The body is also checked for death-related phenomena that may provide information to the investigation

5. Rigor Mortis The stiffening of the body after death due to the membranes of muscle cells becoming more permeable to calcium ions The stiffening of the body after death due to the membranes of muscle cells becoming more permeable to calcium ions Living muscle cells expend energy to transport calcium ions outside the cells; calcium plays a crucial role in muscle contraction Living muscle cells expend energy to transport calcium ions outside the cells; calcium plays a crucial role in muscle contraction Without this calcium transport, the muscle fibers continue to contract until they are fully contracted Without this calcium transport, the muscle fibers continue to contract until they are fully contracted

6. Rigor Mortis The muscles release only when the tissues begin to decompose The muscles release only when the tissues begin to decompose Onset begins two to six hours after death, starting in the smaller muscles and eventually affecting even the largest ones Onset begins two to six hours after death, starting in the smaller muscles and eventually affecting even the largest ones The stiffness remains for two to three days and then diminishes in reverse order The stiffness remains for two to three days and then diminishes in reverse order The rate of rigor mortis depends on activity before death and the ambient temperature; these must be taken into account by the pathologist when estimating a time since death The rate of rigor mortis depends on activity before death and the ambient temperature; these must be taken into account by the pathologist when estimating a time since death

7. Livor Mortis Aka post mortem lividity Aka post mortem lividity It is the settling of blood due to gravity after the heart no longer circulates it through the body It is the settling of blood due to gravity after the heart no longer circulates it through the body Results in a purplish discoloration in the skin Results in a purplish discoloration in the skin The blood vessels are not reaching the lungs to be oxygenated and the settled blood takes on a bluish tone The blood vessels are not reaching the lungs to be oxygenated and the settled blood takes on a bluish tone

8. Livor Mortis This is not true of people who have died from poisons or substances that alter the color of the blood (for ex – CO, which colors the blood bright, cherry red) This is not true of people who have died from poisons or substances that alter the color of the blood (for ex – CO, which colors the blood bright, cherry red) Lividity begins to set in about an hour after death and peaks in about 3 or 4 hours Lividity begins to set in about an hour after death and peaks in about 3 or 4 hours

9. Livor Mortis The blood settles in accordance with gravity and, once coagulated, does not move The blood settles in accordance with gravity and, once coagulated, does not move The only exception to this is where pressure is applied The only exception to this is where pressure is applied Lividity can indicate whether a body has been moved (the pattern of lividity does not match the position of the body as it was found Lividity can indicate whether a body has been moved (the pattern of lividity does not match the position of the body as it was found

10. Petechiae Pinpoint hemorrhages found around the eyes, the lining of the mouth and throat, as well as other areas, often seen in strangulation victims Pinpoint hemorrhages found around the eyes, the lining of the mouth and throat, as well as other areas, often seen in strangulation victims They are not conclusive evidence of strangulation or asphyxiation because other phenomena, such as heart attacks or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, can induce them They are not conclusive evidence of strangulation or asphyxiation because other phenomena, such as heart attacks or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, can induce them Aka – Tardieu spots after the doctor who first described them Aka – Tardieu spots after the doctor who first described them

11. Other Areas Examined During Autopsy The inside of the mouth area and oral cavity are also examined for trauma, trace evidence, and indications of disease The inside of the mouth area and oral cavity are also examined for trauma, trace evidence, and indications of disease