Why is a Forensic Autopsy preformed?

What is an Autopsy?

Discover cause of death for: Criminal cases Family peace of mind Genetic disease or

deformity

Insurance claimsMedical

advancement

Benefits of Autopsy

Cause of Death v. Manner of Death

• Accidental• Undetermined

Photographs taken or body in original, found state Hands wrapped in plastic bags for later evidence

collection Body temperature, lividity, and decomposition level

measured Body placed in bag or wrapped in evidence sheet for

transport.

At the crime scene

External ExaminationSteps of an external examination.1. Photographs, X-rays.• Signs of injury or mistreatment• Signs of illness, disease, or

abnormalities2. Physical evidence collected off

body.3. Samples of hair, nails, etc. are

collected.4. Identifying marks (i.e. scars,

tattoos)5. Undressed, examined for

wounds.• Lacerations, abrasions, bruises.

6. Measured, weighed, cleaned.

Physical Examination

Livor Mortis

Defined as ‘Colour of Death’. Coloration of the skin.

Physical Examination

External Examination

Defined as ‘Coolness of Death’. Temperature of body. If within 12 hours:

Time of death (hrs) = 37oC – current body temp/0.78

Over 12 hours:Time of death = 27.64- current temp/0.39 + 12

• Thinner people cool faster then fat people.

Algor Mortis

Defined as ‘Paleness of Death’. Tone of the body.

Pallor Mortis

Physical Examination

Defined as ‘Stiffness of Death’. Flexibility of the body.• Shows up 2 hours after death• Peaks 12 hours after death.• Takes 12-24 hours for entire

rigor mortis effect to take place.• The eyelids are affected first,

the jaw, face, trunk, arms, legs.• Ends after 24-36 hours.

Rigor Mortis

Explaining rigor mortishttp://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct8AbZn_A8A

Approximate times for algor and rigor mortis in temperate regions

Body temperature

Body stiffness Time since death

warm not stiff dead not more than three hours

warm stiff dead 3 to 8 hours

cold stiff dead 8 to 36 hours

cold not stiff dead more than 36 hours

SOURCE: Stærkeby, M. "What Happens after Death?" In the University of Oslo Forensic Entomology [web site]. Available from http://

folk.uio.no/mostarke/forens_ent/afterdeath.shtml The time frame for all stages is greatly dependent on surrounding conditions such as temperature and humidity.

Physical ExaminationExternal Examination

Lacerations

Types of Wounds (Trauma)1. Lacerations

2. Incised Wound

3. Puncture

4. Abrasion

5. Contusion

6. Gunshot

Physical Examination

Abrasions

ContusionsColour changes a bruise

goes through can give rough estimate of time of injury

• Dark blue/purple (1-18 hours)

• Blue/brown (~1 to 2days)

• Green (~ 2 to 3 days)

• Yellow (~3 to 7 days)

Assumes person is healthy.

Gunshot Wounds

Things for pathologist to learn:

• type of firearm

• distance of gun to victim

• entrance vs exit wounds

• track of projectileStarring of a contact wound – barrel touching the skin

Stippling – powder burns on the skin when the gun is inches to a few feet from the victim

Opening the Chest Y shaped cut The chest cavity is cut open using shears. Skin & underlying tissue (muscle, fat, etc.) are then

separated The ribs are sawed away

Removal of Organs

Physical Examination

Internal Examination

Examples of disease that may produce changes readily recognizable in the organs include atherosclerosis, cirrhosis of the liver, and coronary artery disease in the heart

Two methods for organ removal:• Rokitansky procedure: all

organs removed at once• Virchow procedure: each

organ removed separately and immediately examined

Rokitansky Method

All removed organs are now weighed and examined for unusual markings or signs. Vitreous Humor

• The levels of vitreous humor in the corpses eye tells us how long the victim been dead.

Physical Examination

Brain Examination An incision is made from a point

behind one ear, over the top of the head, to a point behind the opposite ear.

The scalp is pulled away from the skull, creating two flaps.

Physical ExaminationInternal Examination

The skull is then cut with a vibrating electric saw The brain is then cut from the spinal cord The spinal cord may also be taken by removing the

anterior or posterior portion of the spinal column.

Two methods of cutting the skull cap

• Brain is so soft it must be placed in 10% formaldehyde solution for 1-2 weeks before an in depth examination

Physical ExaminationInternal Examination

Closure

Performance of an autopsy does not interfere with an open casket funeral service