Forensic Pathologist Also called medical examiners or coroners Role of the Forensic Pathologist 4 broad determinations are to be made by the pathologist Cause of Death medical diagnosis denoting disease or injury ID: 774780
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Slide1
Autopsy
Forensic Pathology
Slide2Forensic Pathologist
Also called medical examiners or coroners.
Slide3Role of the Forensic Pathologist
4 broad determinations are to be made by the pathologist:Cause of Death – medical diagnosis denoting disease or injuryMechanism of Death – physiology by which disease/injury produces death (arrhythmia, exsanguination)
Slide4Role of the Forensic Pathologist
4 broad determinations are to be made by the pathologist:C. Manner of Death1. Homicide 2. Suicide 3. Accidental 4. Natural Causes 5. UnknownD. Time of Death
Slide5Manner of Death-Natural
Natural: 80 year old dies of congestive heart failure.Natural deaths are the cause of the majority of deaths that occur.
Slide6Manner of Death-Natural
The manners of death in this category include:Heart failureDiseaseDeath during sleep etc. The autopsy reveals certain aspects of the death, whether it occurred suddenly, unexpectedly or if the person was critically ill and hadn't seen a doctor in the last two weeks.
Slide7Manner of Death
Homicide-death
caused by another
person
Suicide-death inflicted upon
self
Accidental-
unintentional and without malice, group swimming and one
drowns
Unknown/Undetermined-absolute
cause not able to be determined
Slide8Role of the Pathologist
Determine type of wound
Measure the dimensions (length, width, depth)
Position relative to anatomical landmarks
Determine initial location of wound involves cutting, slashing, etc.
Determine height from heel
Slide9Types of Wounds (Trauma)
Lacerations
Incised Wound
Stab/Puncture
Abrasion
Contusion
Gunshot
Slide10Abrasions
Ante-Reddish Brown
Post- Yellowish
Slide11Contusions
Assuming
the victim was healthy, color changes a contusion or a bruise goes through can give rough estimate of time of injury:
•
Dark blue/purple (1-18 hours)
•
Blue/brown (~1 to 2days)
•
Green (~ 2 to 3 days)
•
Yellow (~3 to 7 days)
Slide12Gunshot Wounds
Things for pathologist to learn:
• type of firearm
• distance of gun to victim
• entrance vs exit wounds
• track of projectile
Slide13Gunshot Wounds
Stippling – powder burns on the skin when the gun is inches to a few feet from the Victim
Starring of a contact wound – barrel touching the skin