Forensics Chapter 2: Autopsy and death investigation Questions Answered 100% correct

Forensics Chapter 2: Autopsy and death investigation Questions Answered 100% correct What three main implications exist with death investigation? 1. Transplantation/organ donor 2. Life-support 3. Time of death What is the difference between a medical examiner, a coroner, and a certified death investigation? Medical examiner- Appointed by governor Coroner-Elected Certified death investigator- assistant of coroner/med examiner What are the responsibilities of the coroner? Which consumes most of his time? 1. Autopsy 2. Sexual assault investigation 3. OPCs- Consumes most of his time What are some of the reasons an autopsy is performed? 1. Bodies found dead 2. Accidental deaths 3. Death in prison What amount of education is involved in becoming a forensic pathologist? 1. 4 Years Bachelor's degree 2. 4 years Medical Degree 3. 4 years residency 4. 1 year coroners residency List 6 responsibilities of the medical examiner. 1. Identify the deceased 2. Establish the time & date of death 3. Determine a medical cause of death 4. Determine mechanism of death 5. Classify manner of death 6. Notify the next of kin Who signs the death certificates? Last attending physician or coroner/med examiner When is an autopsy performed? Every time, except on natural deaths of the elderly. Why is an autopsy performed? To solve crimes Who performs autopsies? Pathologists Why is the definition of death blurred in today's world? 1. Advanced resuscitation techniques 2. Advanced life sustaining equipment What are the conditions of brain death? 1. Unresponsitivity 2. No movement 3. No Reflexes 4. Isoelectric EEG Differentiate between rigor, livor, and algor mortis? Rigor- stiffness Livor- Blood setting Algor- Body temperature What does the Greek word "autopsia" mean? Why is this significant? "To see with one's own eyes" Can the extent of an autopsy vary? How? Yes, if client wants another autopsy to prove something. What is involved in the external examination before an autopsy? Why must a pathologist be so thorough during this step? 1. Weight 2. Height 3. Marks What types of incisions are made during the autopsy? 1. Y incisions 2. U incisions 3. Brain incisions Difference between Rokitansky and Virchow methods. Rokitansky- organs all come out at once Virchow- Organs are removed separately List/explain the steps of an autopsy. 1. External examination (height, weight, marks) 2. Y/U incision (Rokitansky & Virchow procedure) 3. Brain incision 4. Sew back up 5. Autopsy report 6. Send body to funeral home NOTE: Notes & photographs are taken throughout What are the benefits of autopsies? for families? for the medical profession? for society? Tangible & psychological benefits 1. Families- Insurance benefits 2. Medical profession- Accuracy of clinical diagonses 3. Society- statistics Who pays for autopsies? Tax payers Why were early autopsies done in ancient Babylon? Predicting the future by communicating with divine forces Because of Galen's research, what incorrect theory of Hippocrates was supported? What did this theory entail? Took blood. Before 1700 there was a negative attitude regarding the dissection of the human body. What were the few exceptions? For religious reasons and to learn anatomy Who was considered to be one of the first great autopsists? What correlation did he insist upon? Morgagni. He insisted upon correlation of pathological findings Rokitansky stressed a systematic approach, but what was his weakness? He did not care to now the clinical history of patients What doctrine did Virchow advance? That cellular pathology was the basis of disease What notable physician advanced the work of autopsies in Canada and the US? William Osler In today's world the autopsy falls by the wayside. Should it be revived? Why or why not? Should be kept because autopsy is the best way to solving crime being that the body is evidence. What state was the first to license nurses, physicians, and lawyers as medical examiners? Massachusetts