Forensics: Death



Forensics: DeathName:Ch. 11 Hour: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Pages 308 - 323Death: meaning, Manner, Mechanism, Cause and Time1. Explain where the term “Saved by the bell” originated.2. Autolysis is where the cell breaks down, explain what occurs during autolysis.The cell membrane dissolves, enzymes and other cell contents spill out and digest the surrounding tissue.3. When is an autopsy conducted?To determine the manner, cause and mechanism of death.4. List and describe 5 different “Manner of death” or ways in which a person can die.Natural death – caused by an interruption and failure of body function resulting from age or disease.Accidental death – caused by unplanned events. i.e. car accidentSuicidal death – where the person purposefully kills themselves.Homicidal death – death of a person caused by another personUndetermined – Unknown5. Give examples of death that might be caused by homicide.Bludgeoning, shooting, burning, drowning, strangulation, hanging, suffocation.6. What is mean by proximate cause of death? Example?Refers to an underlying cause of death. I.e. exposed to radiation – causes cancer.7. Mechanism of death is the specific body failure that leads to death, give at least two examples.Shooting – caused by loss of blood.Heart attack – heart stopped8. Answer the following that are used to approximate the time of death.a. Define liver mortis:The pooling of blood in tissue after death resulting in a reddish color to the skin.b. This is known as lividity which gives clues to how long the person has been dead. How long after death does lividity set in?2 hoursc. When does the discoloration become permanent?8 hoursd. How can lividity be used to determine how long a person has been dead?Between 2 & 8 hours – if skin is pressed, lividity will disappear.More than 8 yours lividity remains.e. It is important to record the environmental conditions surrounding a dead body. Explain how the ambient temperature at the time of death impacts lividity.Outside on a hot day will speed up lividity.At room temperature it will occur more slowly.f. List other clues that are provided at the time that livor mortis sets in.Position of the corpseIf the body was moved.g. What is rigor mortis?Stiffing of the skeletal muscles after death.h. Give the time for the following situations:Rigor mortis starts within -2 hoursThe most rigid state is at:12 hoursRigor mortis disappears:after 36 hours to 48 hoursi. Name two things that might cause rigor to remain for 48 hours.Weight and temperaturej. How do you know when the body is likely to be losing its rigor?No rigor in the face but some still in the body.k. Name six factors that affect when rigor mortis sets in.Ambient temperaturePerson’s weightType of clothingIllnessLevel of physical activity shortly before deathSun exposure9. What is algor mortis? The cooling of the body after death.10. The temperature of the body is taken by the forensic scientist in what organ? Why?Liver, because having a standard location for taking the body temperature ensures that investigators can compare their results.11. What is the approximately rule of thumb to determine how long a body has been dead by using their internal temperature?1 degree F per hour .78 Degrees C per hour; .39 degrees after 12 hours.12. Explain how the stomach and intestinal content can be used to determine the time of death.Stomach 2 – 6 hours Takes about 6 hours for the stomach to empty its contents into the small intestine.12 hours for food to leave the small intestine.24 hours before it is released from the large intestine.13. Explain how the eye of a person can help determine the time of death.The surface of the eye dries with 2 to 3 hours if the eyes are open, or 24 hours if the eyes are close. A build up of potassium occurs within the vitreous humor.14. Explain what the body looks like during its stages of decomposition in the following time periods.Within 2 days:Cell autolysis begins following deathGreen & purplish staining occurs from blood decompositionSkin takes on a marbled appearanceFace becomes discolored.After four days:Skin blistersAbdomen swells with the gas carbon dioxide that is released by bacteria living in the intestine.Six to ten days.The corpse bloats with carbon dioxide as bacteria continues to feed on tissues. Eventually, the gas caused the chest and abdominal cavities to burst and collapse.Fluid begins to leak from the body openings as cell membranes rupture.Eyeballs and other tissues liquefySkin sloughs off.15. Who decomposes the quickest?a. Young or old?Youngb. Overweight or normal size people?OverweightNaked or clothes?Nakedd. Sick or healthy?Sick16. Explain how the following environmental conditions affect the decomposition or a body.70 to 99 degrees:Fastest rate of decompositionover 100:Tends to dry out the corpses, preserves them.Lower temperatures:Tend to prevent bacterial growth and slow down decomposition.Moist conditions:If rich in oxygen, decomposition is sped up.If in water or buried - slower17. Forensic entomology is:The study of insects as they pertain to legal issues.18. Explain how insects are used to determine the time of death.Insects arrive and lay their eggs.Eggs hatch and feed on the decomposing tissues.Blowfly: Attracted by two gases putrescine and cadaverene.Tiny wasp: Lay eggs inside the maggots.Cheese skippers – Attracted by the seepage of body fluids.19. Name different bugs, the time it will appear and what attracts the bug to the body during the stages of decomposition.Blowfly eggs – 24 hours or lessthird-stage larvae – 4 to 5 daysIf corpse contains pupae – 18 to 24 days. 20. What is putrefaction?Putrefaction - decayForensics: DeathName:Death: meaning, Manner, Mechanism, Cause and Time1. Explain where the term “Saved by the bell” originated.2. Autolysis is where the cell breaks down, explain what occurs during autolysis.3. When is an autopsy conducted?4. List and describe 5 different “Manner of death” or ways in which a person can die.a.b.c.d.e.5. Give examples of death that might be caused by homicide.6. What is mean by proximate cause of death? Example?7. Mechanism of death is the specific body failure that leads to death, give at least two examples.8. Answer the following that are used to approximate the time of death.a. Define liver mortis:b. This is known as lividity which gives clues to how long the person has been dead. How long after death does lividity set in?c. When does the discoloration become permanent?d. How can lividity be used to determine how long a person has been dead?e. It is important to record the environmental conditions surrounding a dead body. Explain how the ambient temperature at the time of death impacts lividity.f. List other clues that are provided at the time that livor mortis sets in.g. What is rigor mortis?h. Give the time for the following situations:Rigor mortis starts within - The most rigid state is at: Rigor mortis disappears: I. Name two things that might cause rigor to remain for 48 hours.j. How do you know when the body is likely to be losing its rigor?k. Name six factors that affect when rigor mortis sets in.9. What is algor mortis? 10. The temperature of the body is taken by the forensic scientist in what organ? Why?11. What is the approximately rule of thumb to determine how long a body has been dead by using their internal temperature?12. Explain how the stomach and intestinal content can be used to determine the time of death. Stomach Small intestine Large intestine13. Explain how the eye of a person can help determine the time of death.14. Explain what the body looks like during its stages of decomposition in the following time periods.Within 2 days:After four days:Six to ten days.15. Who decomposes the quickest?a. Young or old?b. Overweight or normal size people?Naked or clothes?16. Explain how the following environmental conditions affect the decomposition or a body.70 to 99 degrees:over 100:Lower temperatures:Moist conditions:17. Forensic entomology is:18. Explain how insects are used to determine the time of death.19. Name different bugs, the time it will appear and what attracts the bug to the body during the stages of decomposition.20. What is putrefaction? ................
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