Forensics

Question 1

What is the time of development of symptoms from ionizing radiation in the following dosages: 0-1Sv, 1-2 Sv, 2-10Sv, 10-20 Sv, >50 Sv

Answer 1

0-1 Sv = N/A
1-2 Sv = 1day - 1 week
2-10 Sv = 2-6 weeks 
10-20 Sv = 5-14 days
>50 Sv = 1-4 hours

Question 2

What is the leading cause of injury in individuals age 1-34?

Answer 2

Unintentional injury

Question 3

Define contusion

Answer 3

A bruise that results from hemorrhage into soft tissue due to rupture of subcutaneous blood vessels by blunt force injury

**Contusion doesnt bleed externally. Contusion may be seen upon the skin or within deep viscera

Question 4

What is the lethality of exposure to ionizing radiation in the following dosages: 0-1Sv, 1-2 Sv, 2-10Sv, 10-20 Sv, >50 Sv

Answer 4

0-1 Sv = none
1-2 Sv = none 
2-10 Sv = variable (0-80%)
10-20 Sv = 100%
>50 Sv = 100%

Question 5

What are the main sites of injury of ionizing radiation in the following dosages: 0-1Sv, 1-2 Sv, 2-10Sv, 10-20 Sv, >50 Sv

Answer 5

0-1 Sv = none
1-2 Sv = lymphocytes 
2-10 Sv = BM
10-20 Sv = Small bowel 
>50 Sv = Brain

Question 6

Differentiate between rigor, algor and livor mortis

Answer 6

Rigor mortis = body stiffness

Algor mortis = body temp

Livor mortis = tells you about body position especially if its fixed

algor and rigor mortis can tell you about the time of death

Question 7

What are the main signs and symptoms of ionizing radiation in the following dosages: 0-1Sv, 1-2 Sv, 2-10Sv, 10-20 Sv, >50 Sv

Answer 7

0-1 Sv = none
1-2 Sv = moderate granulocytopenia, lymphocytopenia
2-10 Sv = leukopenia, hemorrhage, hair loss, vomiting
10-20 Sv = diarrhea, fever, electrolyte imbalance, vomiting
>50 Sv = ataxia, coma, convulsions, vomiting

Question 8

Differentiate between cause of death, mechanism of death and manner of death

Answer 8

Cause of death = comes from autopsy; refers to the disease or injury that initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death or the circumstances of the accident that produced the injury

Mechanism of death = immediate cause of death

Manner of death = Natural, accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined

Ex. Gun shot wound -> cause of death = gunshot; mechanism of death = hemorrhage

Question 9

What are the 3 typical types of wounds produced by blunt force?

Answer 9

Abrasion
Contusion
Laceration

Question 10

What is the role of the medical examiner?

Answer 10

• to assign a cause of death
• to render an opinion as to the manner of death
• the focus of the examiner is NOT natural death

Question 11

Differentiate between putrefactive, adipocere formation and mummification types of decomposition

Answer 11

Putrefactive = occurs in a warmer environment where there is a higher humidity; most common; mostly due to gut microbes

Adipocere formation = occurs when a body is in water for a long period of time; epidermis is degraded and fatty deposits in the skin go through saponification

Mummification = drying out of the body; happens in very hot and dry places