FSC100 Final Exam Prep (Includes Weeks 5-12 For The
Final Exam) – Q’ And A’s
Methods of identification after death Right Ans - 1. Visual
2. Photographic
3. Clothing and personal effects
4. Fingerprinting
5. Dental records
6. DNA
Early Development of Autopsy in Forensic Investigations Right Ans - 1507:
Bamberg Code describes the first written records of forensic pathology,
included provisions related to the investigation of crimes and highlighted the
importance of medical evidence in death cases
1530: Constitutio Criminalis Carolina (AKA Carolina)
- A more extensive and comprehensive penal code
- Aimed to standardize laws in the Holy Roman Empire
- Issued by Emperor Charles V.
- requiring a medical testimony be an integral part of the proof and trials
involving decisions regarding whether the death was a homicide, etc.
- Didn't specify performing a total autopsy but wounds were opened to
determine depth & direction
- First indication of "Some degree of expertise" - people needed to be
specialized in pathology
16th Century: Ambrose Pare performed medicolegal autopsies
- Examined the lungs of smothered children to understand physiological
effects of different death
- Also studied the traces left by sexual assault
When do Forensic Pathologists Get Involved? Right Ans - 1. When the
coroner is unable to answer any of the 5 questions
2. When there is a possibility of involvement in the criminal justice system
Why do pathologists perform an autopsy? Right Ans - Two Main Reasons:
1. Discovery (cause & manner of death)
2. Documentation (details on injuries, diseases, etc.)
,What is a forensic pathologist? Right Ans - - A medical doctor
- Specialist certifications in anatomical pathology and additional training in
forensic pathology
- Requires at least 14 years of university & postgrad training
- Most forensic pathologists also hold master's degrees or PhDs
- Has the knowledge of the effects of disease & injury on the body in the
context of the law
The Pathologist Register Right Ans - 1. Category A (forensic pathologists)
- Can perform autopsies on all types of medicolegal cases
- This includes homicides and criminally suspicious adult and pediatric cases
2. Category B (anatomical pathologists)
- Performs autoposies on non-homicide/non-criminally suspicious adult
cases
3. Category C (pediatric pathologists)
- Performs autopsies on non-homicide/non-criminally suspicious pediatric
cases
Cause of Death Right Ans - The actual trauma, event, disease or illness that
triggers the physiological process resulting in death (ex: asphyxia)
Can be immediate or underlying:
--> Immediate: the disease, injury, or complication directly preceding death
and which is the ultimate consequence of the underlying cause
--> Underlying: the disease or injury initiating the chain of events that
ultimately lead to the cessation of life
Mechanism of Death Right Ans - - The physiological or functional
derangement resulting in failure of one or more vital organs
- Usually doesn't require mention in death certificates
- Ex: cardiac arrhythmia, respiratory arrest, sepsis, multisystem organ failure
Manner of death Right Ans - The means by which death occurred
Five manners: accident, suicide, homicide, natural, undetermined
,Pending Cause of Death Right Ans - - The cause of death can be named as
"pending" by the pathologist if it is still unknown after the autopsy and there
is a possibility that further information may permit his/her determination of
the cause of death
- Indicates additional studies or investigations are needed, like toxicology in
drug related deaths
The Medico-Legal Autopsy Right Ans - - a medical investigation on behalf of
greater society to determine how and why its citizens die
- Performed under legislation of the Coroner's Act, NOT family consent.
True or False: When a coroner takes jurisdiction of a body, the family has no
rights to the remains until the body is released back to them Right Ans -
True
Goals of the medico-legal autopsy: Right Ans - - Determine the cause of
death
- Determine the mechanism of death
- Estimate the time of death and/or timing of injuries
- Determine the nature and mechanism of injuries
- Give opinions as to the nature of instruments/weapons that might've been
involved in creating the observed injuries
- Trace evidence collection, etc.
5 Parts of the Medicolegal Autopsy Right Ans - 1. Assessment of the scene &
circumstances surrounding the death
2. External examination of the body
3. Internal examination of the body
4. Interpretation of additional studies in the context of the case (testing like
toxicology if needed)
5. Synthesis of a medicolegal opinion (pathologist uses all gathered info to
create a comprehensive opinion including the cause and manner of death)
The Mortems Right Ans - Antemortem: before death
--> Not of significant assistance w/ manner or cause of death
Useful for identification purposes: premortem medical/dental records,
characteristics of healed injuries and bone
Perimortem: around time of death
, --> Can be associated with the manner and cause of death
--> Consider two factors:
1. Nature of the lesion (type of injury: fracture, amputation, puncture)
2. Cause of lesion (event causing the wound: knife, axe, stress injury)
Postmortem: after death
--> intentional (dismemberment) or unintentional (animal scavenging)
Bullet Wound Right Ans - - A small projectile propelled at high velocity
- Pattern depends on tissue, bone and ballistic properties of the projectile
- Entrance hole usually circular
- Beveled internally, sharply edged
- Exit hole more ragged and beveled externally
- A higher velocity projectile causes greater and more rapid fracturing than
low velocity
- Bullet fragmentation is common
Sharp force injury Right Ans - - Knives, picks, axes, hatchets
- Leaves identifiable marks on tissue, muscle and bone
- Sharp-pointed instruments = deeper and smoother holes
- Flat-bladed objects = longer V-shaped notches
- Sharp edges of knives can cut and splinter bone creating clean or curled
edges like whitted wood
- Dull edges dent or gouge tissue and bone leaving uneven edges
- The direction of injury and instrument used can be determined by
microscopic examination (SEM) and can assist with sequence of events,
identify instrument used, and sometimes the intent of the perpetrator
Blunt force injury Right Ans - - Blow to head from a blunt object can
produce a depressed fracture
- Site usually caved in
- The wider the object + more force = wider and more caving of depression
- Depends on the site of the blow and the force behind it
Algor Mortis Right Ans - - 0-2 hours since death
- latin term: algor (cold), mortis (dead)
- Body loses heat and core temp of about 98.6℉ (37℃) - drops to the ambient
(surrounding) temperature
- If death occurs in a hotter environment then body temp rises
Final Exam) – Q’ And A’s
Methods of identification after death Right Ans - 1. Visual
2. Photographic
3. Clothing and personal effects
4. Fingerprinting
5. Dental records
6. DNA
Early Development of Autopsy in Forensic Investigations Right Ans - 1507:
Bamberg Code describes the first written records of forensic pathology,
included provisions related to the investigation of crimes and highlighted the
importance of medical evidence in death cases
1530: Constitutio Criminalis Carolina (AKA Carolina)
- A more extensive and comprehensive penal code
- Aimed to standardize laws in the Holy Roman Empire
- Issued by Emperor Charles V.
- requiring a medical testimony be an integral part of the proof and trials
involving decisions regarding whether the death was a homicide, etc.
- Didn't specify performing a total autopsy but wounds were opened to
determine depth & direction
- First indication of "Some degree of expertise" - people needed to be
specialized in pathology
16th Century: Ambrose Pare performed medicolegal autopsies
- Examined the lungs of smothered children to understand physiological
effects of different death
- Also studied the traces left by sexual assault
When do Forensic Pathologists Get Involved? Right Ans - 1. When the
coroner is unable to answer any of the 5 questions
2. When there is a possibility of involvement in the criminal justice system
Why do pathologists perform an autopsy? Right Ans - Two Main Reasons:
1. Discovery (cause & manner of death)
2. Documentation (details on injuries, diseases, etc.)
,What is a forensic pathologist? Right Ans - - A medical doctor
- Specialist certifications in anatomical pathology and additional training in
forensic pathology
- Requires at least 14 years of university & postgrad training
- Most forensic pathologists also hold master's degrees or PhDs
- Has the knowledge of the effects of disease & injury on the body in the
context of the law
The Pathologist Register Right Ans - 1. Category A (forensic pathologists)
- Can perform autopsies on all types of medicolegal cases
- This includes homicides and criminally suspicious adult and pediatric cases
2. Category B (anatomical pathologists)
- Performs autoposies on non-homicide/non-criminally suspicious adult
cases
3. Category C (pediatric pathologists)
- Performs autopsies on non-homicide/non-criminally suspicious pediatric
cases
Cause of Death Right Ans - The actual trauma, event, disease or illness that
triggers the physiological process resulting in death (ex: asphyxia)
Can be immediate or underlying:
--> Immediate: the disease, injury, or complication directly preceding death
and which is the ultimate consequence of the underlying cause
--> Underlying: the disease or injury initiating the chain of events that
ultimately lead to the cessation of life
Mechanism of Death Right Ans - - The physiological or functional
derangement resulting in failure of one or more vital organs
- Usually doesn't require mention in death certificates
- Ex: cardiac arrhythmia, respiratory arrest, sepsis, multisystem organ failure
Manner of death Right Ans - The means by which death occurred
Five manners: accident, suicide, homicide, natural, undetermined
,Pending Cause of Death Right Ans - - The cause of death can be named as
"pending" by the pathologist if it is still unknown after the autopsy and there
is a possibility that further information may permit his/her determination of
the cause of death
- Indicates additional studies or investigations are needed, like toxicology in
drug related deaths
The Medico-Legal Autopsy Right Ans - - a medical investigation on behalf of
greater society to determine how and why its citizens die
- Performed under legislation of the Coroner's Act, NOT family consent.
True or False: When a coroner takes jurisdiction of a body, the family has no
rights to the remains until the body is released back to them Right Ans -
True
Goals of the medico-legal autopsy: Right Ans - - Determine the cause of
death
- Determine the mechanism of death
- Estimate the time of death and/or timing of injuries
- Determine the nature and mechanism of injuries
- Give opinions as to the nature of instruments/weapons that might've been
involved in creating the observed injuries
- Trace evidence collection, etc.
5 Parts of the Medicolegal Autopsy Right Ans - 1. Assessment of the scene &
circumstances surrounding the death
2. External examination of the body
3. Internal examination of the body
4. Interpretation of additional studies in the context of the case (testing like
toxicology if needed)
5. Synthesis of a medicolegal opinion (pathologist uses all gathered info to
create a comprehensive opinion including the cause and manner of death)
The Mortems Right Ans - Antemortem: before death
--> Not of significant assistance w/ manner or cause of death
Useful for identification purposes: premortem medical/dental records,
characteristics of healed injuries and bone
Perimortem: around time of death
, --> Can be associated with the manner and cause of death
--> Consider two factors:
1. Nature of the lesion (type of injury: fracture, amputation, puncture)
2. Cause of lesion (event causing the wound: knife, axe, stress injury)
Postmortem: after death
--> intentional (dismemberment) or unintentional (animal scavenging)
Bullet Wound Right Ans - - A small projectile propelled at high velocity
- Pattern depends on tissue, bone and ballistic properties of the projectile
- Entrance hole usually circular
- Beveled internally, sharply edged
- Exit hole more ragged and beveled externally
- A higher velocity projectile causes greater and more rapid fracturing than
low velocity
- Bullet fragmentation is common
Sharp force injury Right Ans - - Knives, picks, axes, hatchets
- Leaves identifiable marks on tissue, muscle and bone
- Sharp-pointed instruments = deeper and smoother holes
- Flat-bladed objects = longer V-shaped notches
- Sharp edges of knives can cut and splinter bone creating clean or curled
edges like whitted wood
- Dull edges dent or gouge tissue and bone leaving uneven edges
- The direction of injury and instrument used can be determined by
microscopic examination (SEM) and can assist with sequence of events,
identify instrument used, and sometimes the intent of the perpetrator
Blunt force injury Right Ans - - Blow to head from a blunt object can
produce a depressed fracture
- Site usually caved in
- The wider the object + more force = wider and more caving of depression
- Depends on the site of the blow and the force behind it
Algor Mortis Right Ans - - 0-2 hours since death
- latin term: algor (cold), mortis (dead)
- Body loses heat and core temp of about 98.6℉ (37℃) - drops to the ambient
(surrounding) temperature
- If death occurs in a hotter environment then body temp rises
