ABMDI Demonstrating Scientific Knowledge | latest 2023/24 questions and answers

ABMDI Demonstrating Scientific Knowledge | latest 2023/24 questions and answers Sings of Death Include: - -Lack of Pulse/Respiration -Absence of Heartbeat -Lack of Corneal Reflex and Pupillary Constriction -Coolness of the Body -Rigor Mortis -Livor Mortis Rigor Mortis - Stiffness of the body that sets in several hours after death Rigor Mortis (Continued) - -Starts in the smaller muscles (jaw, extremities) **First Indicator appears after 2-4 hours** **Maximum Indicator is after 8-12 hours** -Onset and Dissipation of rigor is rapid in children compared to adults Livor Mortis - The pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a reddish color to the skin Livor Mortis (Continued) - -Takes approximately 2-4 hours to develop -As interval extends, the livor becomes fixed and will not blanch on pressure -Generally, livor is fixed after 8-12 hours after death Tardieu Spots - In advance stages of livor mortis, the skin capillaries often rupture and cause pin point hemorrhages Eye Changes after Death - -Clouding (occurring 1-2 hours) -Sclera Dryness (TACHE NOIR) Body Temperature - -Rate at which bodies cool is NOT uniform!!! Algor Mortis - Cooling of the body after death Decomposition Patterns - 24 hours: greenish discoloration of right, lower abdomen 24-36 hours: greenish discoloration of the abdomen 36-48 hours: marbling, bloating of the face 48-60 hours: desiccation (drying) of the fingertips 60-72 hours: bloating of the body (purging) 4-7 days: skin blebs, hair sloughing, skin slippage days-weeks: dehydration of the body tissues weeks-months: adipocere, mummification, skeletonization Inspect the Body (External: Head) - -Examine the scalp for hidden trauma! -Lacerations may stick together; bullet wounds may be obscured -Inspect ears for hemorrhage/foreign bodies -Evaluate eyes for petechial hemorrhages, jaundice, or trauma -Oral cavity may reveal trauma, foreign bodies, or evidence of poor hygiene -Nasal Septum may be perforated due to chronic cocaine abuse Inspect the Body (External: Neck) - -Any identifiable trauma should be documented -DO NOT recover specimens from neck veins of homicide victims (it might create trauma) -View the posterior neck as well! -Examine the neck for evidence of enlarged lymph nodes, thyroid, and/or other masses -Palpate the neck with PASSIVE flexion and extension to reveal fractures Inspect the Body (External: Chest) - -Examine the dimensions of the chest, documenting the anterior-posterior size -An enlarged, barrel-shaped chest is a sign of chronic lung disease. -Palpate the breasts for any masses Inspect the Body (External: Abdomen) - -Palpate the abdomen to detect the presence of fluid or masses. -Excessive fluid may represent liver cirrhosis or failure. -Document recent and remote surgical incisions. -Trauma may not be readily apparent over the abdominal wall due to the elasticity of the tissues Inspect the Body (External: External Genitalia) - -Examine the external genitalia in the MALE for masses, ulcerations, and surgery. -Note the presence or absence of circumcision -IN FEMALE, examine for prolapse of the uterus, masses, trauma, and ulcerations Inspect the Body (External: Lower Extremities) - -Fractures of the hip are usually indicated by the shortening and external rotation of the limbs -Look for any trauma, fractures, burns, and scratches. -Ascertain the presence of edema or brownish discoloration, suggestive of congestive heart failure. Inspect the Body (External: Upper Extremities) - -Examine color and appearance of fingernails (torn or fractured fingernails may indicate a struggle. -DO NOT attempt to fingerprint the decedent until trace evidence has been recovered. -Examine the antecubital fossae of the arm for the presence of perforations or hemorrhage, which may indicate drug abuse. -Examine wrists for scarring, suggestive of past suicide attempts Inspect the Body (External: Back) - -Inspect the back for evidence of previous surgery or trauma Inspect the Body (External: Skin) - -Examine the skin for color, texture, inflammation, and injury. -Document any tattoos or other identifying marks -Yellow jaundice (icterus) is a sign of liver failure -Cherry red lividity indicates carbon monoxide or cyanide positioning (or an artifact of temperature) COMMON MISTAKES THAT INVESTIGATORS MAKE DURING BODY INSPECTION INCLUDE: - 1. Not removing all of the decedent's clothing when viewing the body, when permitted by office standard operating procedures 2. Missing Injuries and trauma that are hidden under bandages. 3. Missing trauma that is no readily evident in dark-skinned individuals 4. Just not looking for trauma or injuries! Identifying Traumatic Injuries: Blunt Force - -RESULTS: from the impact of a blunt object against the skin. -Depending on the angle, force, direction, and object, blunt force trauma may result in a variety of injuries (Contusions, abrasions, lacerations) Identifying Traumatic Injuries: Sharp Force - -Characterized by CLEAN cuts (known as incisions) -Injury is caused by a sharp instrument (IE a knife, razor, scissors) -Cutting wounds to the wrist area may indication suicide attempt (s) (commonly referred to as hesitation marks) Hilt Mark - The presence of an abrasion near a stab wound, typically caused by the handle portion of the knife (indicative of someone forcefully thrusting the knife in its entire length) Identifying Traumatic Injuries: Motor Vehicle - -Patterned trauma typically shows the investigator what position in the vehicle the decedent may have been in prior to the crash -FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS (typically have horizontal lacerations to the forehead and abrasions to the knees) -Tempered glass from side windows will fracture into "ice cube" shapes, the fragments will hit the occupant's face -The driver will have square lacerations and abrasions ("dicing injuries") to the LEFT side of the face, whereas the front-seat passenger will have those same injuries to the RIGHT side of the face. Identifying Traumatic Injuries: Skeletal Injuries - -Fractures/broken bones may be closed (having an intact skin) or open (caused a laceration of the overlying skin) -Fracturing of the internal FRONT of the skull may result in hemorrhage/ecchymosis surrounding the eyes ("raccoon eyes") -Skull fractures at the base of the brain may result in bleeding from the ears Identifying Traumatic Injuries: Thermal Injuries - FIRST DEGREE: superficial, similar to sunburn SECOND DEGREE: damage to the upper layers of the skin, identified as blisters, which may result in scarring THIRD DEGREE: deep and through the entire skin, requiring skin grafting FOURTH DEGREE: demonstrated by severe charring of the tissues Carbon Monoxide in Blood Relating to Death - 20-30%= Death in children 40-50%= Death in UNHEALTHY adults 50-80%= Death Asphyxial Deaths - Lack of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in the tissues of the body -May result from insufficient blood or oxygenated air being delivered to the tissues Strangulation - Compression of the neck, obstructing the flow of air or blood Asphyxia Cause by Hanging - Results from obstruction of the blood or air flow, caused by compression of the neck Petechial Hemorrhage - Small, pinpoint hemorrhage within the conjunctiva of the eyes Aspiration - Inhalation of some foreign object, causing occlusion or obstruction of the airway Mechanical Asphyxia - The inability of the chest to function, inhibiting normal resuscitation (