Module 7: Forensic Pathology

Question 1

What is death?

Answer 1

• Irreversible cessation of all vital functions (heartbeat, brain activity, respration)

Question 2

Heart stops beating –> stop blood circulation and oxygen supply

Answer 2

CR Arrest

Question 3

Loss of brain function, consciousness, no brainstem reflex

Answer 3

Brain death

Question 4

Is brain death considered death?

Answer 4

Yes, it is a clinical death

Question 5

Biochemical changes –> decomposition

Answer 5

Cellular and Molecular Changes

Question 6

Signs of Death

Answer 6

• extreme pallor/paleness on the face and lips
• no pulse
• no heartbeat
• no breathing
• no response to painful stimuli
• no corneal reflexes

Question 7

What happens after death?

Answer 7

• There are observable physical changes in the first 24-48 hours after death
• Known time interval between time of death and changes.

Question 8

Four Postmortem Stages

Answer 8

• Pallor Mortis
• Algor Mortis
• Rigor Mortis
• Livor Mortis

Question 9

Observations on Pallor Mortis

Answer 9

• 15-30mins
• paleness

Question 10

Observations on Algor Mortis

Answer 10

• coldness caused be absence of body temp. regulation

Question 11

True or False
Algor Mortis is accurate too estimate time of death

Answer 11

False. The body may get cold quickly if the environment is cold.

Question 12

Human internal body heat temp.

Answer 12

37C

Question 13

Observations on Rigor Mortis

Answer 13

• matigas
• used to estimate time of death (checking of stiffed parts)
• more reliable than algor

Question 14

Rigorrr~~~ Timeline

Answer 14

• Primary Flaccidity
• Rigor Mortis
• Secondary Flaccidity

Question 15

Primary Flaccidity

Answer 15

-1-2 hours after death
- released of urine and gas

Question 16

Rigor Mortis

Answer 16

• autolysis - cell death
• start with eyelids, fingers, and toes
• peak: 12 hours after death

Question 17

Secondary Flaccidity

Answer 17

• muscle relaxation due to degeneration
• start with eyelids, fingers, and toes

Question 18

Observations on Livor Mortis

Answer 18

• 15-20 mins after death; fixed after 6hrs
• lividity due to gravity
• development of purple color after 8-12 hrs

Question 19

True or False
Livor mortis is visible when it starts at 15-20mins.

Answer 19

False. It starts but only visible until 2hrs.

Question 20

True or False
Hard surface obstruct blood flow –> imprints

Answer 20

True

Question 21

True or False
Livor Mortis is used to know cause of death

Answer 21

True

Question 22

Pathology vs Forensic Pathology

Answer 22

Both study disease or injury but FP do a postmortem examination

Question 23

True or False
Forensic pathology had training in anatomical pathology and specialized in forensic pathology but not a medical doctor

Answer 23

False. All are correct but FP is an MD.

Question 24

What are performed during postmortem examination?

Answer 24

• autopsy
• determing cause and possible manner of death
• x-rays, tissue samples, bodily fluids, bacterial culture

Question 25

What is the purpose of slanted autopsy table?

Answer 25

To drain bodily fluids

Question 26

What does an autopsy report contain?

Answer 26

- pathological process, injury, disease --> death - manner of death

Question 27

Immediate cause of death

Answer 27

- final boss (disease, injury, complication)

Question 28

Antecedent cause of death

Answer 28

- what cause the final boss to awake

Question 29

Underlying cause of death

Answer 29

- cause of antecedent cause of death - if this did not happen, then no death will happen

Question 30

Natural manner of death

Answer 30

- by disease or natural process

Question 31

Homicide (manner of death)

Answer 31

- killing of a human being by another

Question 32

Homicide: Murder

Answer 32

- sinadya, planned, premediated

Question 33

Homicide: Manslaughter

Answer 33

- in the heat of a moment, during disagreement

Question 34

Homicide: Self-defense

Answer 34

- protecting oneself/family

Question 35

Accidental

Answer 35

- aksidente

Question 36

Suicide

Answer 36

- intentional

Question 37

How to prove that one commited suicide?

Answer 37

- intention of the person should be proven

Question 38

Undetermined

Answer 38

- no sufficient evidence --> no determined manner of death

Question 39

Step 1

Answer 39

- external examination. - measure the body including weight. - check for bruises, abrassions, cuts, marks, tattoos, clothes, smell, etc., - check if there is signs of moving the body - checking rigor and livor mortis

Question 40

Step 2

Answer 40

- internal examination - Y cut/incision, shoulder to pubic bone

Question 41

Step 3

Answer 41

- viewing of internal organ - ribs sawn, sternal plate remove

Question 42

Step 4

Answer 42

- removal of organ using Rokitansky method

Question 43

Step 5

Answer 43

- removal of brain - cut from back of scalp, then pull forward - cut skull using vibrating saw

Question 44

How many percent of formalin solution brain is stored?

Answer 44

20%

Question 45

Step 6

Answer 45

- weigh the organs excepts intestine and stomach - undigested food and feces are examined

Question 46

Step 7

Answer 46

- returning of organs

Question 47

Step 8

Answer 47

- sewing up like a stitch on a baseball

Question 48

Clinical Pathology

Answer 48

- Hemopathology - Cytogen/Molecular genpath

Question 49

Anatomic Pathology

Answer 49

- Surgical Pathology - Cytopath - Forensic Pathology

Question 50

Congrats finished ka na