FSC100 Final Exam Prep Questions With
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Early Development of Autopsy in Forensic Investigations 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
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When do Forensic Pathologists Get Involved? 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? Two Main Reasons:
1. Discovery (cause & manner of death)
2. Documentation (details on injuries, diseases, etc.)
What is a forensic pathologist? - 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 1. Category A (forensic pathologists)
- Can perform autopsies on all types of medicolegal cases
- This includes homicides and criminally suspicious adult and pediatric cases
, FSC100 Final Exam Prep Questions With
Solutions 100% Complete
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 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 - The physiological or functional derangement resulting in failure of
one or more vital organs
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- Usually doesn't require mention in death certificates
- Ex: cardiac arrhythmia, respiratory arrest, sepsis, multisystem organ failure
Manner of death The means by which death occurred
Five manners: accident, suicide, homicide, natural, undetermined
Pending Cause of Death - 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 - 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 True
Solutions 100% Complete
Early Development of Autopsy in Forensic Investigations 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
, FSC100 Final Exam Prep Questions With
Solutions 100% Complete
When do Forensic Pathologists Get Involved? 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? Two Main Reasons:
1. Discovery (cause & manner of death)
2. Documentation (details on injuries, diseases, etc.)
What is a forensic pathologist? - 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 1. Category A (forensic pathologists)
- Can perform autopsies on all types of medicolegal cases
- This includes homicides and criminally suspicious adult and pediatric cases
, FSC100 Final Exam Prep Questions With
Solutions 100% Complete
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 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 - The physiological or functional derangement resulting in failure of
one or more vital organs
, FSC100 Final Exam Prep Questions With
Solutions 100% Complete
- Usually doesn't require mention in death certificates
- Ex: cardiac arrhythmia, respiratory arrest, sepsis, multisystem organ failure
Manner of death The means by which death occurred
Five manners: accident, suicide, homicide, natural, undetermined
Pending Cause of Death - 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 - 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 True
