Forensics - Death Investigation Flashcards

1
Q

What is the proximate cause of death?

A

The actual, true cause of death

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2
Q

What is an example of the proximate cause of death?

A

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

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3
Q

What is the mechanism of death - “immediate”?

A

Final pathophysiological event

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4
Q

The actual, true cause of death

A

Proximate cause of death

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5
Q

Final Pathophysiological event

A

Mechanism of death (immediate)

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6
Q

What is the manner of death opinion based on?

A

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

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7
Q

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

A

Anything relevant

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8
Q

What are the manners of death?

A

NASHU

  • Natural
  • Accident
  • Suicide
  • Homicide
  • Undetermined
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9
Q

What is an example of an undetermined manner of death?

A

SIDS

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10
Q

Homicide

A

Life was taken by another person

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11
Q

Murder

A

Legal charge

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12
Q

What are the manners of death?

A

NASHU

  • Natural
  • Accident
  • Suicide
  • Homicide
  • Undetermined
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13
Q

How does accurate death certification serve the public interest?

A

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!

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14
Q

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

A

Natural deaths = Licensed physicians

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

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15
Q

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

A

Medical Examiner!

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16
Q

Rigor Mortis

A

Stiffening of muscle groups after death

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17
Q

When does Rigor Mortis occur?

A

Within a few hours but depends on the temperature

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18
Q

Algor Mortis

A

Cooling of the body after death - rarely done with precision

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19
Q

Liver Mortis

A

Movement of circulating blood to dependent areas of the body

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20
Q

Stiffening of muscle groups after death

A

Rigor Mortis

21
Q

Cooling of the body after death

A

Algor Mortis

22
Q

Movement of circulating blood to dependent areas of the body

A

Liver Mortis

23
Q

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

A

Fixed

24
Q

What are 3 types of body decomposition?

A
  1. Putrefactive
  2. Mummification
  3. Adipocere Formation
25
Q

Putrefactive body decomposition includes?

A

Increased discoloration, tissue softening, gas production and bloating

26
Q

In what temperatures does Putrefactive body decomposition occur?

A

Occurs in most temperatures

27
Q

Where does Mummification body decomposition occur?

A

Dry, arid climates

28
Q

What is Adipocere Formation?

A

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

29
Q

Death and immersion within a body of water results in?

A

Saponification of epidermal surfaces

= Adipocere Formation

30
Q

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

A

NO

31
Q

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

A

Rarely as definitive and conclusive

32
Q

What is time of death based upon?

A

Body cooling and body decomposition

33
Q

Time of death is an _____

A

APPROXIMATION

34
Q

What is the goal of a Forensic Autopsy?

A

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

35
Q

In what settings are forensic autopsies common?

A

In settings of foul play and trauma

36
Q

Forensic autopsies spend a lot of time examining?

A

Wounds!

37
Q

What is the goal of a Hospital Autopsy?

A

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

38
Q

Hospital autopsy occurrence is?

A

Declining

39
Q

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

A

NO

40
Q

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

A

LOCATION

- Rural vs. Large Urban Areas

41
Q

Describe the training of a Medical Examiner

A

PHYSICIAN

  • 4 years of medical school
  • Usually 4 years of pathology residency
  • 1 year forensics fellowship
42
Q

Medical Examiners DO NOT EQUAL?

A

Police officers or detectives

43
Q

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

A

Coroners or Justices-of-the-Peace

44
Q

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

A

Physicians

45
Q

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

A

NO

46
Q

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

A

Ph.D - (“-ology”)
Masters Level
Training based

47
Q

Who is the legal duty of the medical examiner for?

A

The Public

48
Q

Duty of a Medical Examiner?

A

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