Chapter 12- Death: Manner, Mechanism, Cause

Réussis tes devoirs et examens dès maintenant avec Quizwiz!

T/F Adipocere is a waxy material formed from the breakdown of fat during decomposition under very dry conditions

False

T/F Body heat loss speeds up after 12 hours following death

False

T/F Usually, children will lose body heat more slowly than adults

False

T/F once skin slippage begins, it is impossible to obtain fingerprints.

False

Where do forensic investigators take a corpse's temperature?

In the liver or rectum

Body changes after death stages

Stoppage then Autolysis

What does it mean if there is rigor in every body part but the face, jaw, and neck?

The body is losing rigor and death occurred over 15 hours ago

Algor mortis

The cooling of the body after death

livor mortis

The pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a reddish color to the skin

T/F A person who was running away from someone before they died will go into rigor mortis sooner than the person who was sitting quietly

True

T/F Cloudiness of the eyes occurs usually after 2 hours if the eyelids are open

True

t/f: an autopsy is performed after an unexplained death to help explain the cause & manner of death.

True

medical examiner

a physician who performs autopsies, determines the cause and manner of death, and oversees death investigations

Occurrences after 3 weeks - 2 months after death

great loss of mass do to insect infestation, fat on the body start to undergo decomposition

Stage 1: Stoppage

heart stops - end of Oxygen Nerves, muscles, organs stop

autopsy

medical examination to determine the cause of death

What are the manners of death?

natural, accident, suicide, homicide, undetermined

manner of death

one of five ways in which a person's death is classified (i.e., natural, accidental, suicidal, homicidal, or undetermined)

Occurrences over 2 months after death

soft tissue is usually gone, bones remain, odors are mostly gone

autolysis

the breakdown of cells as they self-digest

decomposition

the breakdown of once-living matter by living organisms

cause of death

the injury or condition responsible for a person's death

mechanism of death

the specific physiological, physical, or chemical event that stops life

rigor mortis

the stiffening of the body after death

How fast does the body cool after death?

1.4 degrees F per hour but varies depending on weather

How long does it take for food to leave the small intestines?

12 hours

What time after death is the body most stiff?

12 hours after death

When does lividity begin?

2 hours after death

When does rigor mortis begin?

2 hours after death

When does a cloudy film in the eyes occur?

2-3 hours after death if their eyes were open, 24 hours after death if their eyes were closed

How long does it take for the stomach to empty its contents into the small intestines?

2-6 hours

In what temperature do bodies decompose fastest in?

21-37 degrees Celsius

Occurrences several hours after death

Autolysis begins, muscles lose tone, bladder and rectum empty, mortis, cloudy films over open eyes, flies arrive

Stage 2: Autolysis

Damaged cells trigger a cell demolition

coroner

an elected official, either a layman or physician, who certifies deaths and can order additional investigations of suspicious deaths

Occurrences after several days after death

blistering of the skin and internal organs, putrefaction, abdominal swelling as intestines get consumed, internal pressure from fluids, marbling skin discoloration, loss of rigor mortis, increased insect activity

Occurrences after 7-23 days after death

bloating continues, discoloration of skin makes identification of skin color near impossible, soft tissue starts to liquify

Lividity

blood pooling

putrefaction

destruction of soft tissue by bacteria that results in the release of waste gases and fluids

What body parts exhibit rigor mortis first?

face, jaw, and neck


Ensembles d'études connexes

IB, STUDY GUIDE (CHAPTERS 13 & 14)

View Set

technology final exam {7th grade}

View Set

CRJ 200 Skywest Profiles SINGLE ENGINE MISSED APPROACH

View Set

chapter 12 history test (lessons 1,2,4)

View Set

A&P 2 Chapter 27 & 28 LAB QUESTIONS

View Set