Death Investigation
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Define the following term: Cause of death:
The immediate medical condition which causes death
Define the following term: Manner of death:
The circumstances surrounding the death
What are the four DETERMINABLE manners of death?
• natural • accident • suicide • homicide
What is meant by an “undetermined” manner of death?
It means that there is not enough evidence to clearly categorize the death as either natural, accidental, suicide or homicide.
True or False, Every death scene should be treated as a homicide until proven otherwise.
True
True or False: A medicolegal death investigation may but does not always mean an autopsy must be conducted.
True
When is a documented medicolegal death investigation required?
Anytime a death is sudden, violent or unnatural. It is also required in unattended deaths.
What is the difference between an “autopsy” and a “necropsy”?
An autopsy is a post mortem dissection of a human body A necropsy is a post mortem dissection of a non-mortem body (such as an animal)
What is the difference between a “forensic autopsy” and a “clinical autopsy”?
In a clinical autopsy, the cause and manner of death (natural) is already known. The autopsy is done only to study the extent of the disease and to collect samples to be used for medical research. A forensic autopsy is done when the cause and manner of death is not known. As much attention is given to the examination of the outside of the body as is given to the inside of the body. Also the neck and throat are always dissected.
What are four categories of deaths where an autopsy is mandatory in Iowa?
• all child deaths • all workplace deaths • all transportation related deaths • all unattended deaths
What is the difference between a coroner and a medical examiner?
A medical examiner is an actual doctor (MD or DO); a coroner is an elected position and does not require any medical degree
Are deaths in Iowa investigated under a coroner system or a medical examiner system?
Iowa is a 100% medical examiner system
Define the following terms: Ambient temperature:
The temperature of the immediate surroundings
Define the following terms: Tache noir:
Dark lines that form on the eyes from the drying of the corneas
Define the following terms: Rigor mortis:
Stiffening of the muscles after death due to the depletion of ATP from cells
Define the following terms: Cadaveric spasm:
Instantaneous rigor mortis
Define the following terms: Livor mortis:
The pooling of the blood due to gravity after death
Define the following terms: Algor mortis:
The cooling of the body until it reaches ambient temperature
Define the following terms: ATP:
The main molecule that provides energy in your cells
Define the following terms: Arrector pili muscles:
Smallest muscles in the body; located around each hair follicle
Define the following terms: Vitreous humor:
Fluid inside the eyeball; can measure potassium levels to help determine time of death
What are the average time frames for rigor mortis to form and then go away?
Rigor mortis starts to form about 30 minutes after death. It will be fully set by 12 hours and full rigor will last for 24 hours. Rigor will disappear by 36 hours.
What are defensive injuries? What can the pathologist learn from defensive injuries?
Defensive injuries are injuries sustained by the victim from fending off an attack. The pathologist can learn about the size and shape of the weapon from these injuries.
What is the average time frame for the stomach to empty its contents into the small intestine?
3 hours