DEATH INVESTIGATION GPSTC 320/321 EXAM
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An autopsy is the examination of a corpse to identify the cause of death.
Medical Examiner: chief, regional, county, or local.
Coroner - ANSWER: Four-year term, constitutionally elected, independent
death inquiry
inquest - an official hearing or investigation to determine the cause of death.
Death Notice - ANSWER LE must furnish the coroner with death notification
from the county where the body or death was found.
When does law enforcement have to investigate a death? - ANSWER Suicide or
Casualty
Suddenly, in apparent good health.
When not attended by a physician.
In any suspicious or unusual manner, with special attention to children 16 years
of age and under
After birth but before 7 years of age, if death is unexpected or inexplicable
As a result of an execution carried out in accordance with the imposition of the
death sentence
Any inmate
, Signs of death include decomposition, termination of circulation, cessation of
respiration, and complete muscular relaxation. Algor mortis: cooling down;
rigor mortis: onset after 4-6 hours, lasts 4-6 hours, and can last up to 24 hours.
living dead- Cadaveric lividity- red-blue discolouration, alterations in the eyes
The eye has a "glazed-over" appearance
The indicators of death must work - answer in conjunction, not either or.
Estimating Time of Death - ANSWER Can never give a precise time of death;
nevertheless, an examiner can use various factors to provide an approximate
time of death.
Estimate within *four* hours.
The most recent death is the easiest to determine. The corpse is still warm.
The mucous membranes are still wet. The pupils are starting to dilate and fix.
Death 1/2 hour to four days prior - ANSWER: If death occurred within four
days, the mucous membranes have already dried. Skin blisters, skin sliding, and
the body is slightly pink
Changes in the eyes - ANSWER The exterior surface of the eye begins to
become clouded within 30 minutes following death.
Postmortem lividity (livor mortis) - answer Purple darkening of dependant
regions of skin caused by blood pooling.
LATEST UPDATED
An autopsy is the examination of a corpse to identify the cause of death.
Medical Examiner: chief, regional, county, or local.
Coroner - ANSWER: Four-year term, constitutionally elected, independent
death inquiry
inquest - an official hearing or investigation to determine the cause of death.
Death Notice - ANSWER LE must furnish the coroner with death notification
from the county where the body or death was found.
When does law enforcement have to investigate a death? - ANSWER Suicide or
Casualty
Suddenly, in apparent good health.
When not attended by a physician.
In any suspicious or unusual manner, with special attention to children 16 years
of age and under
After birth but before 7 years of age, if death is unexpected or inexplicable
As a result of an execution carried out in accordance with the imposition of the
death sentence
Any inmate
, Signs of death include decomposition, termination of circulation, cessation of
respiration, and complete muscular relaxation. Algor mortis: cooling down;
rigor mortis: onset after 4-6 hours, lasts 4-6 hours, and can last up to 24 hours.
living dead- Cadaveric lividity- red-blue discolouration, alterations in the eyes
The eye has a "glazed-over" appearance
The indicators of death must work - answer in conjunction, not either or.
Estimating Time of Death - ANSWER Can never give a precise time of death;
nevertheless, an examiner can use various factors to provide an approximate
time of death.
Estimate within *four* hours.
The most recent death is the easiest to determine. The corpse is still warm.
The mucous membranes are still wet. The pupils are starting to dilate and fix.
Death 1/2 hour to four days prior - ANSWER: If death occurred within four
days, the mucous membranes have already dried. Skin blisters, skin sliding, and
the body is slightly pink
Changes in the eyes - ANSWER The exterior surface of the eye begins to
become clouded within 30 minutes following death.
Postmortem lividity (livor mortis) - answer Purple darkening of dependant
regions of skin caused by blood pooling.
