Presentation covers review of Manner of Death and Causes of death dynamics.

1. Forensics ~ Cause & Manner of Death
Dr. Perry Lyle, PhD / March 5, 2017 / Columbia College - Orlando

2. How do we determine COD?
There are only 5 possible modes of death, yet the causes of death may be wide and varied.
Pathology
Pathology is the study of disease,
so forensic pathology is the study
of injuries and/or disease in order
to determine the cause of death.
(Merriam- Webster).

3. Perry Lyle
The Medical Examiner
A medical doctor (MD) who works for the legal system
to determine cause of death in legal cases. They
conduct autopsies to determine not only the ultimate
cause of death but also the manner and mode of
death. A medical examiner is a trained professional
that gains experience in forensic sciences and legal
aspects of death investigations.

4. Perry Lyle
Corner
The corner is usually an elected official and may not
have a medical degree. They would oversee the
investigation but rely on the information given to
them by medical examiner to make their decisions.
The corner is a middle person and most jurisdictions
have eliminated the position as a cost savings to the
community.

5. Perry Lyle
Five Manners of Death ~ Overview
• Natural Causes
• Accidental
• Homicidal
• Suicidal
• Unknown at Time / To Be Determined
 Deaths from Natural Causes represented 92.5 % of all U. S. deaths, (2013)
according to the CDC (2016, February 16)

6. Perry Lyle
Cause of Death
• Cause (Mode) of Death
• The medical or forensic cause:
• Gunshot
• Blunt force trauma
• Heart Attack
• Strangulation
• Drowning

7. Perry Lyle
Gun Shot
Suicidal
• M. E. along with
police gather
sufficient
evidence that
the gun shot
wounds to the
victim where
self-inflicted.
Accidental
• M. E. along with
police gather
sufficient
evidence that
the wounds
were due to an
accidental
discharge of a
weapon.
Homicidal
• M. E. along with
police gather
sufficient
evidence to
support an
investigation
into murder.

8. Perry Lyle
Time of Death
Scientists and medical experts have for centuries debated over the exact time of
death and for a perfect definition to affix the time of death. We are no closer
today even with our advance technologies.
• Most agree that when the vital functions of the body ceases, so does life.
There are no: heart beat – (pulse), breathing, cool down of body temperature
begins and brain response.
• Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA or mDNA) is the DNA located in mitochondria,
cellular organelles within eukaryotic cells that convert chemical energy from
food into a form that cells can use, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). With out cell
growth – the body dies.

9. Perry Lyle
Pathology and Circumstances
Forensics Related Facts
Spackling of gunshot wounds Weapon discharged at point blank range
Trauma Tearing of victim’s flesh supports type of wound
COD
Massive brain trauma – loss of blood
(Exsanguination)
Near contact: muzzle of the gun is held a short
distance from the skin
Appears as circular wound with blackened and
seared edges
M. E. collects fired projectile
Projectile consistent with weapon found at
scene and owned by victim
No observable sign of trauma No signs of a struggle or violence
Cause of Death Suicide by gunshot

10. Perry Lyle
Body Temperature
• Normal body temperature is 98.6˚F
• Body temp of a corpse drops 1.5˚F every hour
• A corpse is cool to the touch after 4-6 hours
• Release gases causing body to become (bloated due to
bacteria growth) occurs and body temp can rise to 128˚F
• In 24 hours the body is at the ambient temperature (Algor mortis)
• Several days after death, Putrefaction (bacteria in the body)
takes place – various gases are released by the body (odor)
• Nature and time are not kind to the dead. From moment of
death, extreme weather, bacteria, insects and predators work
to destroy the remains of the body (Lyle, D., 2008, p. 57)

11. Perry Lyle
Pre-autopsy Procedure
Step 1
• Conditional
evidence –
lividity, rigor
mortis,
odors,
insects,
position,
clothing
Step 2
• Pattern
evidence –
bite marks,
imprints,
impressions,
weapon
marks,
insertions,
injuries,
wounds
Step 3
• Biological
evidence –
grass,
leaves,
wood,
plants,
pollen,
flowers,
insects,
worms, etc.
Step 4
• Chemical
evidence –
cosmetics,
firearms,
vehicle-
related
chemicals,
drugs,
alcohol,
poisons, ink,
oil, cleaning
fluids, soil,
glass

12. Perry Lyle
Pre-autopsy Procedure
Step 5
• Physiological
evidence –
blood, semen,
urine, fecal
materials,
tears, milk, bile,
tissues, bone,
hair
Physiologic time of death – the time that the vital
functions of the body stop.
Legal time of death – as recorded on the death
certificate
Approximate time of death – the time that the M.E.
estimates that the person died.
Body temperature, rigor mortis, livor mortis
(lividity), degree of putrefaction, stomach
contents, corneal cloudiness, vitreous
potassium level, insect activity, scene markers
are all used by the M. E. in the estimate. (p.90).

13. Perry Lyle
Autopsy “ to examine with one’s own eyes” Siegel, J. (2009 p. 87)
1. Physical characteristics of victim are documented – notes are transcribed
2. Distinguishing characteristics – tattoos, scars, birthmarks, dental impressions as needed
3. Body is photographed, x-rayed, and examined with alternate light source (black light)
for stains or related of trauma, etc.
4. Fingernails and toenails saved for further analysis – poisons such as arsenic maybe
detected – fluids preserved for complete toxicology report
5. If there signs of a rape case, swabs are taken of oral, anal, and vaginal cavities
6. Fingerprints and palm prints taken for complete body identification
7. Y-incision from shoulders down to abdomen is a standard procure to examine body
cavity
8. Saw collarbone and ribs to access body organs and to complete visual examination
9. Internal organs are all removed, weighed, and measured
10. Blood and tissue samples are taken from each organ
11. The scalp is peeled back, skull is opened and brain is examined

14. Perry Lyle
Rigor Mortis
• Begins ~4 to 5 hours after death
• Stiffening of body because of lack of oxygen in muscle cells
• Begins in eyelids and small muscles of jaw, then to neck and
rest of body
• Is sped up by increased external temp and slowed down by
cooler temp ~ a person jogging will show signs quickly
• Sets in more slowly with overweight individuals
• Sets in more quickly when there has been a violent struggle
(uses up energy in muscles)
• Completely sets in within 12 hours after death and lasts ~36
hours before body returns to non-rigid state ( p. 94)

15. Perry Lyle
Livor Mortis
• Discoloration of skin after death (purple color)
• Caused by gravity-induced stagnation and settling of red blood
cells in small blood vessels (clue that body may have been
moved
• The heart stops beating, blood no longer flows
• Commonly referred to as “lividity”
• Occurs 6-8 hours after death
• Occurs in parts of body closest to ground (gravity!)
 Remember, as the blood vessels deteriorates, the blood leaks
into the surrounding tissues giving it the spread appearance (p.
97)

16. Perry Lyle
Body Farm
• Established in 1971 by Dr. William M. Bass, anthropologist. Now
officially the University of Tennessee’s Forensic Anthropology facility.
• Started with one single body to examine decay. Today, there are now
over 150 bodies (daily) in various states of purification and
decomposition above and below ground, buried or in rolled up carpets,
or found in open-air fields to conduct studies under all kinds of
conditions, extreme and normal.
• Just about every thing we know about corpses in a state of
decomposition has been studied and learned from Bass’s body farm.
( p. 108).

17. Perry Lyle
Rate of Putrefaction
• The rate of putrefaction depends largely on the state of the
body and physical environment in which the body lies.
• The closer to the Equator, the quicker the body enzymes and
bacteria will speed up the process of decompensation.
• The body in this process releases very pungent odors and
gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen and particularly
malodorous ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans.
Mercaptan will burn if ignited.
• Diabetics actually decompose at faster rates than other due to
body sugars as cited in Spitz, U., & Spitz, D., & Fisher (2006, p.
109).

18. Caution note: Homicide does not equal murder. Since a
homicide may be justifiable, no quilt is equated from a finding of
homicide, such as a police officer shooting and killing a threating
suspect. The cause of death would likely be declared: Justifiable
homicide – shooting.
In the same vain, pundits and government officials labor to
change the terminology of suicide bombers to homicidal bombers.
Their thought process is in error. A suicide bomber is simply that,
a terrorist aimed at causing mass carnage and death to innocents
for political and ideological gains.
Caution Notes and Myths

19. Myth:
Some believe that the human hair and nails continue to
grow after death. Not true. All cellular growth stops. What is seen
is already present. The skin shrinks due to dehydration giving the
appearance that the nails, for example, have become larger.
Exculpatory evidence ~ The Brady Rule, named for Brady v.
Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), requires prosecutors to disclose
materially exculpatory evidence (evidence that may benefit the other
side) in the government's possession to the defense (Cornell Law,
N.D.).
Caution Notes and Myths

20. Perry Lyle
Works Cited
CDC (2016, February 16). National Vital Statistic System. CDC. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/deaths.htm
Cornell Law (N. D.). The Brady Rule. Retrieved from
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/brady_rule
Lyle, D. (2008). Forensics. A Guide for Writers. Cincinnati, OH. The Writers’ Digest.
Siege, J. (2009). Forensic Science. Great Britain. One World Publications.
Spitz, W., Spitz, D., and Fisher (2009). Medicolegal Investigation of Death (4th ed.).
Springfield, IL. Charles C. Thomas Publisher.

21. Perry Lyle, PhD
Perry Lyle, Ph.D. brings a combined
35 plus years’ experience in the
Public Safety Leadership and
Private Security having held
responsible positions of leadership
in law enforcement, intelligence,
private security and forensic
investigations. He is a native of
Orlando, Florida and currently
resides in Central, Florida and is a
criminal justice professor at
Columbia College, Orlando and at
PAFB. As an avid writer, he is
consumed with stimulating social
justice in the criminal justice system.
His studies in the mid-east adds a
complete dimension to multi-cultural
diversity.