Forensics - Death Investigation

Question 1

What is the proximate cause of death?

Answer 1

The actual, true cause of death

Question 2

What is an example of the proximate cause of death?

Answer 2

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Question 3

What is the mechanism of death - “immediate”?

Answer 3

Final pathophysiological event

Question 4

The actual, true cause of death

Answer 4

Proximate cause of death

Question 5

Final Pathophysiological event

Answer 5

Mechanism of death (immediate)

Question 6

What is the manner of death opinion based on?

Answer 6

Everything known about the history of the deceased, the circumstances around the death and the autopsy

Question 7

In rendering a manner of death, what can be considered?

Answer 7

Anything relevant

Question 8

What are the manners of death?

Answer 8

NASHU

• Natural
• Accident
• Suicide
• Homicide
• Undetermined

Question 9

What is an example of an undetermined manner of death?

Answer 9

SIDS

Question 10

Homicide

Answer 10

Life was taken by another person

Question 11

Murder

Answer 11

Legal charge

Question 12

What are the manners of death?

Answer 12

NASHU

• Natural
• Accident
• Suicide
• Homicide
• Undetermined

Question 13

How does accurate death certification serve the public interest?

Answer 13

Research money is spent on diseases of most significant mortality and morbidity. Accurate death certification is vital in ascertaining the magnitude of disease that are the most concerning to the population!

Question 14

Who may legitimately certify death in the U.S.?

Answer 14

Natural deaths = Licensed physicians

All other manners of death = legally appointed Medical Examiner, or coroner, or justice-of-the-peace

Question 15

If there is even a doubt a foul play in a natural death, who will legitimately certify the death in the U.S.?

Answer 15

Medical Examiner!

Question 16

Rigor Mortis

Answer 16

Stiffening of muscle groups after death

Question 17

When does Rigor Mortis occur?

Answer 17

Within a few hours but depends on the temperature

Question 18

Algor Mortis

Answer 18

Cooling of the body after death - rarely done with precision

Question 19

Liver Mortis

Answer 19

Movement of circulating blood to dependent areas of the body

Question 20

Stiffening of muscle groups after death

Answer 20

Rigor Mortis

Question 21

Cooling of the body after death

Answer 21

Algor Mortis

Question 22

Movement of circulating blood to dependent areas of the body

Answer 22

Liver Mortis

Question 23

With Liver mortis, after a period of time, lividity becomes?

Answer 23

Fixed

Question 24

What are 3 types of body decomposition?

Answer 24

1. Putrefactive
2. Mummification
3. Adipocere Formation

Question 25

Putrefactive body decomposition includes?

Answer 25

Increased discoloration, tissue softening, gas production and bloating

Question 26

In what temperatures does Putrefactive body decomposition occur?

Answer 26

Occurs in most temperatures

Question 27

Where does Mummification body decomposition occur?

Answer 27

Dry, arid climates

Question 28

What is Adipocere Formation?

Answer 28

Death and immersion within a body of water with saponification of epidermal surfaces

Question 29

Death and immersion within a body of water results in?

Answer 29

Saponification of epidermal surfaces | = Adipocere Formation

Question 30

Do TV shows use actual realities of forensic capabilities to determine the time of death?

Answer 30

NO

Question 31

Compared to how they are portrayed, forensic opinions on time of death are?

Answer 31

Rarely as definitive and conclusive

Question 32

What is time of death based upon?

Answer 32

Body cooling and body decomposition

Question 33

Time of death is an _____

Answer 33

APPROXIMATION

Question 34

What is the goal of a Forensic Autopsy?

Answer 34

Render proximate cause of death and manner of death to obtain acquisition of justice

Question 35

In what settings are forensic autopsies common?

Answer 35

In settings of foul play and trauma

Question 36

Forensic autopsies spend a lot of time examining?

Answer 36

Wounds!

Question 37

What is the goal of a Hospital Autopsy?

Answer 37

Evaluate death due to natural causes and document extent or presence of disease

Question 38

Hospital autopsy occurrence is?

Answer 38

Declining

Question 39

Do databases, technological capabilities and rapidity of testing match their portrayal?

Answer 39

NO

Question 40

What do the capabilities of law enforcement and medical examiner facilities depend on?

Answer 40

LOCATION | - Rural vs. Large Urban Areas

Question 41

Describe the training of a Medical Examiner

Answer 41

PHYSICIAN - 4 years of medical school - Usually 4 years of pathology residency - 1 year forensics fellowship

Question 42

Medical Examiners DO NOT EQUAL?

Answer 42

Police officers or detectives

Question 43

In some cases, not including a medical examiner, who is given the legal ability to sign death certificates?

Answer 43

Coroners or Justices-of-the-Peace

Question 44

Coroners or Justices-of-the-Peace could be?

Answer 44

Physicians

Question 45

Usually though, are coroners or justices-of-the-peace qualified physicians or people with medical training?

Answer 45

NO

Question 46

It is important to note that many other NON-physician specialties exist in forensic capabilities. What degree level positions exist?

Answer 46

Ph.D - ("-ology") Masters Level Training based

Question 47

Who is the legal duty of the medical examiner for?

Answer 47

The Public

Question 48

Duty of a Medical Examiner?

Answer 48

To the public they serve in a medicolegal/acquisition of justice capacity