Suicidal: deliberate taking of one’s____________life. Homidical: deliberate taking of_____________ _______ life (murder or manslaughter) Cause, Manner and Mechanism of Death the immediate reason for a person’s death (this is usually determined at Cause of death: autopsy if not already evident) Examples: aneurysm, heart attack, gunshot wound Manner: the means by which someone dies (natural, accidental, suicide, homicide) Mechanism: the specific body or organ failure that leads to death Determining the Time of Death If there is another person present, it is usually easier to determine the time of death. This is not always the case. the time at which the deceased person ceases to function: Physiological time of death: heartbeat stops and vital organs shut down. Estimated time of death: a best ______________or estimate based on available information. When was person last seen or heard from Who was the last person to have contact with the deceased Medical illnesses, age, circumstances Legal time of death: the time when the body was discovered or ___________________dead by another person usually medical personnel or law enforcement. This is the official time of death that is recorded on the ________________ _______________________. Examining the Corpse to Determine Estimated Time of Death Rigor Mortis: natural ______________ and relaxation of the skeletal muscles after death due to chemical changes and loss of Adenosine triphosphate
Suicidal: deliberate taking of one’s____________life. Homidical: deliberate taking of_____________ _______ life (murder or manslaughter) Cause, Manner and Mechanism of Death Cause of death: the immediate reason for a person’s death (this is usually determined at autopsy if not already evident) Examples: aneurysm, heart attack, gunshot wound Manner: the means by which someone dies (natural, accidental, suicide, homicide) Mechanism: the specific body or organ failure that leads to death Determining the Time of Death If there is another person present, it is usually easier to determine the time of death. This is not always the case. Physiological time of death: the time at which the deceased person ceases to function: heartbeat stops and vital organs shut down. Estimated time of death: a best ______________or estimate based on available information. When was person last seen or heard from Who was the last person to have contact with the deceased Medical illnesses, age, circumstances Legal time of death: the time when the body was discovered or ___________________dead by another person usually medical personnel or law enforcement. This is the official time of death that is recorded on the ________________ _______________________. Examining the Corpse to Determine Estimated Time of Death Rigor Mortis: natural ______________ and relaxation of the skeletal muscles after death due to chemical changes and loss of Adenosine triphosphate
determination_of_death_student_notes.docx