ABMDI Demonstrating Scientific
Knowledge
Sings of Death Include: ANS:-Lack of Pulse/Respiration
-Absence of Heartbeat
-Lack of Corneal Reflex and Pupillary Constriction
-Coolness of the Body
-Rigor Mortis
-Livor Mortis
Rigor Mortis ANS:Stiffness of the body that sets in several hours after death
Rigor Mortis (Continued) ANS:-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 ANS:The pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a reddish color to the skin
Livor Mortis (Continued) ANS:-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 ANS:In advance stages of livor mortis, the skin capillaries often rupture and cause pin
point hemorrhages
Eye Changes after Death ANS:-Clouding (occurring 1-2 hours)
-Sclera Dryness (TACHE NOIR)
Body Temperature ANS:-Rate at which bodies cool is NOT uniform!!!
Algor Mortis ANS:Cooling of the body after death
Decomposition Patterns ANS: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) ANS:-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) ANS:-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) ANS:-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) ANS:-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
Knowledge
Sings of Death Include: ANS:-Lack of Pulse/Respiration
-Absence of Heartbeat
-Lack of Corneal Reflex and Pupillary Constriction
-Coolness of the Body
-Rigor Mortis
-Livor Mortis
Rigor Mortis ANS:Stiffness of the body that sets in several hours after death
Rigor Mortis (Continued) ANS:-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 ANS:The pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a reddish color to the skin
Livor Mortis (Continued) ANS:-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 ANS:In advance stages of livor mortis, the skin capillaries often rupture and cause pin
point hemorrhages
Eye Changes after Death ANS:-Clouding (occurring 1-2 hours)
-Sclera Dryness (TACHE NOIR)
Body Temperature ANS:-Rate at which bodies cool is NOT uniform!!!
Algor Mortis ANS:Cooling of the body after death
Decomposition Patterns ANS: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) ANS:-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) ANS:-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) ANS:-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) ANS:-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
