Hair, Teeth, Autopsy

Define Livor mortis and explain what causes it?

Discoloration in the skin; caused by blood pooling in the place where the body settles after death

What parts of the body are tested for rigor mortis?

Elbows, knees and jaws (joints, bending)

Describe the Rokitansky Method

All the organs are taken out in one block

Define Autolysis and Putrefaction. Compare and contrast them

Autolysis = self-digestion of cell wall by enzymes, breakdown of organs, muscles get softer Putrefaction = liquefying, melting down of body from bacteria in intestinal tract which turns it discolored (slippage, bloating etc)

Why does rigor end? (Explain the term Autolysis)

Autolysis = the self-digestion of the cell walls -The muscles become soft

Describe a Y incision

Beneath shoulder bones to sternum, then down trunk from breastbone to pubic bone

3. How long is it until the stiffening affects the entire corpse?

12-18 hours

4. Approximately how many days does rigor mortis last (the corpse becomes limp again)

2 days until it leads into decay

2. How long after death does this stiffening start to occur?

2-3 hours after death

Describe the basic features of an autopsy table.

Waist high, stainless steel, raised edges, slanted with running water for draining blood

1. Where does the word "stiff" (with respect to a dead human) come from?

'Stiff' comes from the rigor mortis that sets in shortly after death.

Body temperature (Algor mortis) is one method used to estimate the time of death. Give the formula for this method:

Current temperature = 37.5-1.5(hours)

6. What causes muscles cells to contract during rigor mortis? Explain FULLY at a cellular/biochemical level (ATP and actin/myosin)

-Nerve impulses set off reaction causing myosin to pull actin and contract muscle -Normally: ATP attaches to myosin and forces it to let go of actin -Rigor mortis: ATP does not exist (dependent on oxygen), muscles stay contracted

Make a List of what is normally done in an External examination of a corpse: (use bullet points)

-Preliminary investigation (photos, examination) upon discovery -Clothes checked, body checked for rigor & livor mortis, x rays taken -Fingernails clipped or scraped clean, combed hair, area around sexual organs swabbed -Injuries marked out -Audio notes made

Because rigor mortis leaves a lot of room for doubt (with respect to time of death) forensic pathologists rely on other indicators that provide greater certainty as to time of death. Explain the 3 main indicators:

1. Entomology (insects): different stages of life, average time reaching a corpse 2. Stomach contents = can determine degree of digestion at death 3. Body temperature = cools at steady rate (1.5-2 degrees/hr)

Name and explain the 4 main variables that can affect the progression (with respect to time) rigor mortis

1. Temperature (warmth speeds it up, more bacteria) 2. Physical exertion = instant onset of rigor mortis ("cadaveric spasm") because muscles are depleted of energy 3. Fat distribution = insulation, rigor mortis is slower 4. Age/illness = lower muscle mass, quicker progression

List (in correct order) and describe the 6 stages of an Autopsy

1. Y incision from breastplate to sternum and down 2. Organs removed, weighed (sometimes in sequence, blood taken) 3. Stomach contents examined 4. Samples taken - blood, bile, ocular fluid, liver tissue, urine (toxicology) 5. Head and brain - external and incision examined for injury 6. Conclusion - organs put back, sewn up, findings reported

What is Lividity? Why is it important? How soon does it happen? What is the approximate time period for changing (altering) lividity in a corpse?

Blood stops moving after pumped for the last time - as soon as 30 minutes after heart stops, can last after 12 hours -FIXED in place after 6 hours (blood vessels begin to break down)

List the organs that can be removed from the chest cavity

Brain, heart, liver, stomach (not weighed), liver, kidneys, intestines (not weighed), lungs

Who sews the body flaps back together?

Forensic technician

Define Algor mortis and explain what causes it?

Gradual cooling of the body after death until it reaches room temperature

5. Explain Nysten's Law - Describe what happens in detail:

Nysten's Law = progressive states of stiffness in the body -Starts in small muscle groups (eyes, mouth, jaws), later larger -Downward progression from face to toes

What are the last organs to decay?

Prostate and uterus

How are the internal organs "exposed"?

Ribs are sawn off

What is a Stryker saw? What is it used for ?

Stryker saws are used for sawing bone if one needs to access an area underneath!

What are some problems associated with using this method?

There are ways to alter temperature in an area, and thus affect the rate of progression of decay.