Stages of death can be classified into immediate, early, and late changes. Immediate changes include irreversible cessation of brain function, respiration, and circulation. Early changes involve loss of skin elasticity and pallor, muscle relaxation, and eye changes. Late changes include algor mortis (body cooling), livor mortis (postmortem lividity), rigor mortis (muscle stiffening), and eventual decomposition through autolysis and putrefaction. Understanding these postmortem changes can help estimate time of death and determine cause.
Determination of time since death/ postmortem time intervalATUL ABHISHEK
1. Several post-mortem changes can help estimate time since death, including algor mortis (body cooling), rigor mortis (muscle stiffening), livor mortis (post-mortem lividity), and decomposition.
2. Changes also occur in the skin, eyes, and internal organs after death. Pupil dilation occurs initially but contractions occur with rigor mortis. The vitreous potassium level rises and can indicate time since death.
3. Insect evidence, including the development of blowfly larvae, can help estimate minimum post-mortem interval based on temperature-dependent insect life cycles.
This document discusses various types of artefacts that may be observed during a post-mortem examination and could be misinterpreted. It defines an artefact as something not naturally present but introduced after death. Artefacts are classified as: 1) due to resuscitation measures 2) occurring between death and autopsy 3) due to pre-mortem injuries or lesions 4) developing during the autopsy. Examples of artefacts from resuscitation include rib fractures from CPR and laryngeal injuries from intubation. Artefacts between death and autopsy include regurgitation, hypostasis, and embalming changes. Differentiating post-mortem from ante-mortem injuries is also discussed.
1. The document discusses the process of autopsy, including the types (clinical, medico-legal, anatomical), rules and procedures for conducting a medico-legal autopsy, and the key parts of an autopsy report.
2. The types of autopsy covered are clinical/pathological, medico-legal, and anatomical. Medico-legal autopsies are conducted under legal authority to investigate sudden, suspicious, violent or unnatural deaths.
3. Rules for medico-legal autopsies include only conducting with official authorization, identifying the body, thorough examination of all cavities, and retaining evidence. The autopsy report consists of preamble, findings, and opinion sections.
Autopsy by Dr Yaseen Mohammad for 3rd year students MBBSYaseen Mohammad
The document discusses medico-legal autopsies and their protocols. It provides information on:
1. The objectives of a medico-legal autopsy which are to determine identity, cause of death, manner of death, and evidence left by perpetrators.
2. The precautions and protocols that must be followed which include obtaining proper authorization, examining relevant documents, and ensuring identification of the body.
3. The stages of an autopsy which involve external examination of the body and clothes, internal examination of organs, collection of specimens, and reconstruction of the body.
The document discusses signs of death and changes that occur after death that can help estimate time since death. It describes immediate signs like cessation of breathing and brain activity. Early changes include facial pallor, eye changes, algor mortis (cooling of the body), and livor mortis (pooling of blood). Rigor mortis causes stiffening of muscles 3-8 hours after death. Later changes include decomposition, adipocere formation (preservation of fatty tissues), and mummification. Forensic entomology examines insect activity on corpses to estimate time of death if the body has been dead for weeks.
An inquest is a legal inquiry into the cause and circumstances of an unnatural death. In India, there are two main types of inquests - a police inquest conducted by an officer and a magistrate's inquest ordered by a district magistrate. A police inquest is conducted under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for any unnatural death. It involves examining the scene, speaking to witnesses, and may require an autopsy. Any discrepancies between the inquest report and autopsy report must be resolved.
The document discusses sexual offenses from a medicolegal perspective. It defines various types of sexual offenses according to Sri Lankan law, including rape, incest, unnatural offenses, gross indecency, grave sexual abuse, and sexual harassment. It then describes how victims of sexual offenses may present, with or without a complaint, noting various potential injuries and signs. It emphasizes the importance of obtaining informed consent and providing support when taking a thorough history from victims.
Forensic pathology involves determining cause of death by examining corpses. Forensic pathologists perform autopsies and postmortem examinations to determine the mechanism and manner of death, such as homicide, accident, natural causes, or suicide. They examine wounds, collect tissue samples, analyze toxins, and testify in court. Blunt force trauma is a common cause of injuries and deaths investigated by forensic pathologists. The severity of blunt force injuries depends on factors like the amount of force, characteristics of the impacting object, and composition of impacted tissues. Common blunt force injuries identified during autopsies include abrasions, contusions, lacerations, avulsions, and fractures.
Determination of time since death/ postmortem time intervalATUL ABHISHEK
1. Several post-mortem changes can help estimate time since death, including algor mortis (body cooling), rigor mortis (muscle stiffening), livor mortis (post-mortem lividity), and decomposition.
2. Changes also occur in the skin, eyes, and internal organs after death. Pupil dilation occurs initially but contractions occur with rigor mortis. The vitreous potassium level rises and can indicate time since death.
3. Insect evidence, including the development of blowfly larvae, can help estimate minimum post-mortem interval based on temperature-dependent insect life cycles.
This document discusses various types of artefacts that may be observed during a post-mortem examination and could be misinterpreted. It defines an artefact as something not naturally present but introduced after death. Artefacts are classified as: 1) due to resuscitation measures 2) occurring between death and autopsy 3) due to pre-mortem injuries or lesions 4) developing during the autopsy. Examples of artefacts from resuscitation include rib fractures from CPR and laryngeal injuries from intubation. Artefacts between death and autopsy include regurgitation, hypostasis, and embalming changes. Differentiating post-mortem from ante-mortem injuries is also discussed.
1. The document discusses the process of autopsy, including the types (clinical, medico-legal, anatomical), rules and procedures for conducting a medico-legal autopsy, and the key parts of an autopsy report.
2. The types of autopsy covered are clinical/pathological, medico-legal, and anatomical. Medico-legal autopsies are conducted under legal authority to investigate sudden, suspicious, violent or unnatural deaths.
3. Rules for medico-legal autopsies include only conducting with official authorization, identifying the body, thorough examination of all cavities, and retaining evidence. The autopsy report consists of preamble, findings, and opinion sections.
Autopsy by Dr Yaseen Mohammad for 3rd year students MBBSYaseen Mohammad
The document discusses medico-legal autopsies and their protocols. It provides information on:
1. The objectives of a medico-legal autopsy which are to determine identity, cause of death, manner of death, and evidence left by perpetrators.
2. The precautions and protocols that must be followed which include obtaining proper authorization, examining relevant documents, and ensuring identification of the body.
3. The stages of an autopsy which involve external examination of the body and clothes, internal examination of organs, collection of specimens, and reconstruction of the body.
The document discusses signs of death and changes that occur after death that can help estimate time since death. It describes immediate signs like cessation of breathing and brain activity. Early changes include facial pallor, eye changes, algor mortis (cooling of the body), and livor mortis (pooling of blood). Rigor mortis causes stiffening of muscles 3-8 hours after death. Later changes include decomposition, adipocere formation (preservation of fatty tissues), and mummification. Forensic entomology examines insect activity on corpses to estimate time of death if the body has been dead for weeks.
An inquest is a legal inquiry into the cause and circumstances of an unnatural death. In India, there are two main types of inquests - a police inquest conducted by an officer and a magistrate's inquest ordered by a district magistrate. A police inquest is conducted under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for any unnatural death. It involves examining the scene, speaking to witnesses, and may require an autopsy. Any discrepancies between the inquest report and autopsy report must be resolved.
The document discusses sexual offenses from a medicolegal perspective. It defines various types of sexual offenses according to Sri Lankan law, including rape, incest, unnatural offenses, gross indecency, grave sexual abuse, and sexual harassment. It then describes how victims of sexual offenses may present, with or without a complaint, noting various potential injuries and signs. It emphasizes the importance of obtaining informed consent and providing support when taking a thorough history from victims.
Forensic pathology involves determining cause of death by examining corpses. Forensic pathologists perform autopsies and postmortem examinations to determine the mechanism and manner of death, such as homicide, accident, natural causes, or suicide. They examine wounds, collect tissue samples, analyze toxins, and testify in court. Blunt force trauma is a common cause of injuries and deaths investigated by forensic pathologists. The severity of blunt force injuries depends on factors like the amount of force, characteristics of the impacting object, and composition of impacted tissues. Common blunt force injuries identified during autopsies include abrasions, contusions, lacerations, avulsions, and fractures.
This document discusses cessation of life and determining death. It covers:
- Definitions of somatic death, molecular death, brain death, and brain stem death.
- Criteria for determining whole brain death which requires absent brain and brainstem function and apnea.
- Importance of determining the cause and time of death for organ transplantation. Different organs remain viable for varying lengths of time after circulation stops.
- Distinctions between brain death, persistent vegetative state, and brainstem injury and how each affects respiratory and cardiac function.
This document provides a history of forensic medicine around the world and in India. It discusses important figures and developments in different regions including:
- Imhotep in Egypt in 2900 BC who was the first medico-legal expert.
- The Code of Hammurabi in 2200 BC in Babylon which included medical provisions.
- Hippocrates and Aristotle in Greece in the 5th-4th century BC who dealt with medical ethics and causes of death.
- Developments in Rome including the Lex Cornelia law against poisoning in 138 BC.
- Advances in China such as descriptions of injuries found on bamboo in 220 BC.
- The establishment of the first chair of medical jurisprudence in
Mechanical asphyxia can occur through various means that mechanically block the air passage, such as hanging, strangulation, smothering, choking, drowning, or external compression. Hanging is a type of mechanical asphyxia where the body is suspended by a ligature around the neck. Causes of death by hanging include occlusion of the airway, jugular veins, or carotid arteries. External signs include a ligature mark on the neck, a stretched and elongated neck, salivary dribble, a swollen face with protruding tongue and eyes, and bluish discoloration of the lips, tongue, and nails.
The document discusses the management of mass disasters and identification of victims. It defines a mass disaster as more than 12 deaths in a single event. Identification involves primary identification through visuals and clothing, followed by external and internal examination, radiographs, fingerprints, dental records, and DNA analysis to determine cause of death and identity. Proper coordination between authorities, body recovery and storage, identification methods, and support for victims' families are essential aspects of managing mass disasters.
This document provides an introduction to forensic medicine. It defines forensic medicine as the application of medical knowledge to legal affairs to aid in justice. Forensic medicine deals with areas where medicine, law enforcement, and the judiciary intersect. It has many branches including forensic pathology, which determines the cause and manner of death, forensic entomology, which examines insects around human remains, and forensic toxicology, which studies the effects of drugs on the body. Forensic medicine aims to apply medical and paramedical knowledge to legal problems in deciding cases involving injuries, murder, and suicide. Medical jurisprudence also deals with legal aspects of medical practice regarding responsibilities of physicians.
Article 3 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights states “everyone has
the right to life, liberty and security of a person”
Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees no person shall be
deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure
established by law”
Thus right to life, liberty and security of a person are recognized as a
fundamental right by the Universal Declaration of Human Right (article
3 of 1948 and article 21 of the Indian Constitution
This document discusses personal identity in medicolegal cases. It defines personal identity as establishing the individuality of a person. Complete identity means knowing a person's full name and address, while incomplete or partial identity can only establish details like age and sex. Identification is important in both living and dead persons, for cases like inheritance, accidents, unknown bodies, and crime. Methods of determining identity include third party accounts, subjective analysis of a person's physical characteristics and belongings, and objective analysis of biological and non-biological traces. Key parameters include age, sex, race, identity marks, dental records, hair, blood types, diseases, and possessions. At least two important identifying marks should be documented.
1) The document discusses the preservation of viscera during autopsy for chemical analysis in cases of suspected poisoning. Routine viscera preserved includes stomach contents, portions of liver and kidneys, and blood.
2) Special circumstances that require preservation are outlined, along with proper collection, preservation, and dispatch of viscera samples.
3) Two case presentations are described where viscera analysis helped determine the causes of death - one was poisoning by phosphorus ingestion, and the other suggested arsenic poisoning of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The document provides an introduction to forensic medicine, including defining the field, outlining its branches, and discussing some of its roles and applications. It discusses how forensic medicine can help in a case of murder by determining the cause of death, nature of injuries, weapon used, and amount of force - which can prove intent. It also outlines how forensic medicine examines evidence in cases of rape, abortion, and grievous hurt.
Bullets are projectiles that are fired from firearms. They are typically made of lead and jacketed in harder materials like copper for protection. Bullet tips can be pointed, rounded, or flattened. Inside cartridges, bullets are propelled by primer, gunpowder, and wadding. Upon firing, the gunpowder ignites and rapidly expands gases that push the bullet out of the barrel. Firearm injuries are caused not just by the bullet but also burnt gunpowder and other material deposited in the wound. Wounds of entry and exit are often seen, and characteristics like abrasions, soot, and tattoos help identify them.
Legal procedure in Bangladesh involves both civil and criminal courts. Criminal courts deal with offenses against public interest and can impose custodial punishments like imprisonment, while civil courts deal with disputes between private parties and typically award financial compensation. Witnesses play an important role in both civil and criminal cases by providing testimony in court. Medical evidence in the form of reports also provides important documentary evidence.
Autopsy in Cases of Death in Custody, Torture and Violation of Human RightsDr Sandeep Kumar Giri
This document outlines guidelines from the National Human Rights Commission of India regarding autopsies performed in cases of custodial death, torture, and human rights violations. Key points include:
- The NHRC recommends that all autopsies in cases of death in police custody or jails should be videotaped and the tapes and reports sent to the NHRC.
- A model autopsy report form was created based on UN guidelines to standardize documentation of findings.
- Factors like rigor mortis and temperature changes must be documented to properly assess time of death.
- Autopsies and magisterial inquiries in custodial death cases must be completed and sent to the NHRC within 2 months. V
We saw the infamous 26/11 at Mumbai, India. We lost some brave-hearts. Hence, we look into the forensics behind firearm injuries. We shall also discuss the JFK assassination case in brief. I would recommend downloading the presentation and view it in power point 2010 or above to see all the effects flawlessly.
Deals with the post-mortem examination (autopsy) particularly the internal examinations of the various organs based on Virchow's technique of organ removal.
Dr. Hammad's document discusses asphyxial deaths and their classification. It covers various types of asphyxia including mechanical asphyxia caused by suffocation, hanging, and strangulation. Autopsy findings for each type are described, such as ligature marks and petechial hemorrhages. Causes of death include anoxic anoxia and reflex cardiac arrest. Homicidal, accidental, and suicidal cases are addressed. Drowning is also discussed, distinguishing between wet and dry types. In summary, the document provides a comprehensive overview of classifications, mechanisms, autopsy findings, and medicolegal aspects of asphyxial deaths.
Exhumation involves legally digging up a buried body and can be done for several reasons: to identify the body, determine the cause of death if foul play is suspected, or recover evidence buried with the body. The exhumation process is supervised by a magistrate and doctor and involves carefully excavating the grave and examining the remains for marks, injuries, or samples that can aid in the investigation. Identification is attempted even if the body has decomposed, and samples are collected and preserved as necessary for analysis to determine factors like poisoning or the cause of death.
This document discusses various types of asphyxia including hanging, strangulation, suffocation, and drowning. It describes the causes, features, and autopsy findings of each type. Some key points include:
- Asphyxia is a condition where oxygen supply to tissues is reduced due to interference with respiration.
- Causes include obstruction of air passages, inhalation of toxic gases, respiratory muscle spasms, or paralysis of the respiratory center.
- Autopsy findings for hanging include ligature marks, petechial hemorrhages, congestion of organs and carotid artery tears.
- Strangulation causes include ligatures or manual compression of the neck. Findings are ligature marks and
A custodial death refers to a death that occurs while a person is in police custody or prison. Common causes of custodial deaths include traumatic asphyxia during arrests due to police restraint holds, blunt injuries from assaults, alcohol withdrawal, and suicides in prison cells. Investigations into custodial deaths aim to determine the cause of death and ensure authorities are not responsible for any ill-treatment, though authorities may delay examinations to allow injuries to heal or dispose of the body.
The document provides details on autopsy protocols and procedures. It defines an autopsy protocol as a signed legal document prepared by a medical officer containing observations from examining a dead body. The autopsy procedure generally involves external and internal examination. External examination includes inspecting the body and clothes for injuries, marks, and evidence. Internal examination involves opening the three main body cavities - skull, thorax, and abdomen - to examine the organs. The cause and manner of death are then determined based on these examinations and specimen collection.
The document discusses objectives of medico-legal autopsies and inquests in Malaysia. The key points are:
1) An inquest is a preliminary inquiry conducted by a Coroner or Magistrate to ascertain the who, when, where, and how of a death. If the death was unnatural, the body may undergo a medico-legal autopsy ordered by the Coroner.
2) Autopsies are required for deaths due to unnatural causes, accidents, homicides, and some sudden natural deaths where the cause is unclear. They aim to determine the cause, manner, and circumstances of death.
3) Common causes of sudden natural death include cardiac diseases like heart attacks and
Postmortem changes occur immediately, early, and late after death. Immediate changes include cessation of brain, circulatory, and respiratory functions. Early changes are facial pallor, skin changes, eye changes, cooling of the body, lividity, and rigor mortis. Late changes include decomposition, adipocere formation, and mummification. Determining postmortem changes aids in estimating time since death and investigating causes of death.
death changes after death.ppt in the classDrSathishMS1
Postmortem changes occur immediately, early, and late after death. Immediate changes include cessation of brain, circulatory, and respiratory functions. Early changes are facial pallor, skin changes, eye changes, cooling of the body, lividity, and rigor mortis. Rigor mortis is caused by a chemical change in muscles and typically lasts 1-3 days. Late changes include decomposition through autolysis and bacterial action, resulting in discoloration, bloating, and maggot activity.
This document discusses cessation of life and determining death. It covers:
- Definitions of somatic death, molecular death, brain death, and brain stem death.
- Criteria for determining whole brain death which requires absent brain and brainstem function and apnea.
- Importance of determining the cause and time of death for organ transplantation. Different organs remain viable for varying lengths of time after circulation stops.
- Distinctions between brain death, persistent vegetative state, and brainstem injury and how each affects respiratory and cardiac function.
This document provides a history of forensic medicine around the world and in India. It discusses important figures and developments in different regions including:
- Imhotep in Egypt in 2900 BC who was the first medico-legal expert.
- The Code of Hammurabi in 2200 BC in Babylon which included medical provisions.
- Hippocrates and Aristotle in Greece in the 5th-4th century BC who dealt with medical ethics and causes of death.
- Developments in Rome including the Lex Cornelia law against poisoning in 138 BC.
- Advances in China such as descriptions of injuries found on bamboo in 220 BC.
- The establishment of the first chair of medical jurisprudence in
Mechanical asphyxia can occur through various means that mechanically block the air passage, such as hanging, strangulation, smothering, choking, drowning, or external compression. Hanging is a type of mechanical asphyxia where the body is suspended by a ligature around the neck. Causes of death by hanging include occlusion of the airway, jugular veins, or carotid arteries. External signs include a ligature mark on the neck, a stretched and elongated neck, salivary dribble, a swollen face with protruding tongue and eyes, and bluish discoloration of the lips, tongue, and nails.
The document discusses the management of mass disasters and identification of victims. It defines a mass disaster as more than 12 deaths in a single event. Identification involves primary identification through visuals and clothing, followed by external and internal examination, radiographs, fingerprints, dental records, and DNA analysis to determine cause of death and identity. Proper coordination between authorities, body recovery and storage, identification methods, and support for victims' families are essential aspects of managing mass disasters.
This document provides an introduction to forensic medicine. It defines forensic medicine as the application of medical knowledge to legal affairs to aid in justice. Forensic medicine deals with areas where medicine, law enforcement, and the judiciary intersect. It has many branches including forensic pathology, which determines the cause and manner of death, forensic entomology, which examines insects around human remains, and forensic toxicology, which studies the effects of drugs on the body. Forensic medicine aims to apply medical and paramedical knowledge to legal problems in deciding cases involving injuries, murder, and suicide. Medical jurisprudence also deals with legal aspects of medical practice regarding responsibilities of physicians.
Article 3 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights states “everyone has
the right to life, liberty and security of a person”
Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees no person shall be
deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure
established by law”
Thus right to life, liberty and security of a person are recognized as a
fundamental right by the Universal Declaration of Human Right (article
3 of 1948 and article 21 of the Indian Constitution
This document discusses personal identity in medicolegal cases. It defines personal identity as establishing the individuality of a person. Complete identity means knowing a person's full name and address, while incomplete or partial identity can only establish details like age and sex. Identification is important in both living and dead persons, for cases like inheritance, accidents, unknown bodies, and crime. Methods of determining identity include third party accounts, subjective analysis of a person's physical characteristics and belongings, and objective analysis of biological and non-biological traces. Key parameters include age, sex, race, identity marks, dental records, hair, blood types, diseases, and possessions. At least two important identifying marks should be documented.
1) The document discusses the preservation of viscera during autopsy for chemical analysis in cases of suspected poisoning. Routine viscera preserved includes stomach contents, portions of liver and kidneys, and blood.
2) Special circumstances that require preservation are outlined, along with proper collection, preservation, and dispatch of viscera samples.
3) Two case presentations are described where viscera analysis helped determine the causes of death - one was poisoning by phosphorus ingestion, and the other suggested arsenic poisoning of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The document provides an introduction to forensic medicine, including defining the field, outlining its branches, and discussing some of its roles and applications. It discusses how forensic medicine can help in a case of murder by determining the cause of death, nature of injuries, weapon used, and amount of force - which can prove intent. It also outlines how forensic medicine examines evidence in cases of rape, abortion, and grievous hurt.
Bullets are projectiles that are fired from firearms. They are typically made of lead and jacketed in harder materials like copper for protection. Bullet tips can be pointed, rounded, or flattened. Inside cartridges, bullets are propelled by primer, gunpowder, and wadding. Upon firing, the gunpowder ignites and rapidly expands gases that push the bullet out of the barrel. Firearm injuries are caused not just by the bullet but also burnt gunpowder and other material deposited in the wound. Wounds of entry and exit are often seen, and characteristics like abrasions, soot, and tattoos help identify them.
Legal procedure in Bangladesh involves both civil and criminal courts. Criminal courts deal with offenses against public interest and can impose custodial punishments like imprisonment, while civil courts deal with disputes between private parties and typically award financial compensation. Witnesses play an important role in both civil and criminal cases by providing testimony in court. Medical evidence in the form of reports also provides important documentary evidence.
Autopsy in Cases of Death in Custody, Torture and Violation of Human RightsDr Sandeep Kumar Giri
This document outlines guidelines from the National Human Rights Commission of India regarding autopsies performed in cases of custodial death, torture, and human rights violations. Key points include:
- The NHRC recommends that all autopsies in cases of death in police custody or jails should be videotaped and the tapes and reports sent to the NHRC.
- A model autopsy report form was created based on UN guidelines to standardize documentation of findings.
- Factors like rigor mortis and temperature changes must be documented to properly assess time of death.
- Autopsies and magisterial inquiries in custodial death cases must be completed and sent to the NHRC within 2 months. V
We saw the infamous 26/11 at Mumbai, India. We lost some brave-hearts. Hence, we look into the forensics behind firearm injuries. We shall also discuss the JFK assassination case in brief. I would recommend downloading the presentation and view it in power point 2010 or above to see all the effects flawlessly.
Deals with the post-mortem examination (autopsy) particularly the internal examinations of the various organs based on Virchow's technique of organ removal.
Dr. Hammad's document discusses asphyxial deaths and their classification. It covers various types of asphyxia including mechanical asphyxia caused by suffocation, hanging, and strangulation. Autopsy findings for each type are described, such as ligature marks and petechial hemorrhages. Causes of death include anoxic anoxia and reflex cardiac arrest. Homicidal, accidental, and suicidal cases are addressed. Drowning is also discussed, distinguishing between wet and dry types. In summary, the document provides a comprehensive overview of classifications, mechanisms, autopsy findings, and medicolegal aspects of asphyxial deaths.
Exhumation involves legally digging up a buried body and can be done for several reasons: to identify the body, determine the cause of death if foul play is suspected, or recover evidence buried with the body. The exhumation process is supervised by a magistrate and doctor and involves carefully excavating the grave and examining the remains for marks, injuries, or samples that can aid in the investigation. Identification is attempted even if the body has decomposed, and samples are collected and preserved as necessary for analysis to determine factors like poisoning or the cause of death.
This document discusses various types of asphyxia including hanging, strangulation, suffocation, and drowning. It describes the causes, features, and autopsy findings of each type. Some key points include:
- Asphyxia is a condition where oxygen supply to tissues is reduced due to interference with respiration.
- Causes include obstruction of air passages, inhalation of toxic gases, respiratory muscle spasms, or paralysis of the respiratory center.
- Autopsy findings for hanging include ligature marks, petechial hemorrhages, congestion of organs and carotid artery tears.
- Strangulation causes include ligatures or manual compression of the neck. Findings are ligature marks and
A custodial death refers to a death that occurs while a person is in police custody or prison. Common causes of custodial deaths include traumatic asphyxia during arrests due to police restraint holds, blunt injuries from assaults, alcohol withdrawal, and suicides in prison cells. Investigations into custodial deaths aim to determine the cause of death and ensure authorities are not responsible for any ill-treatment, though authorities may delay examinations to allow injuries to heal or dispose of the body.
The document provides details on autopsy protocols and procedures. It defines an autopsy protocol as a signed legal document prepared by a medical officer containing observations from examining a dead body. The autopsy procedure generally involves external and internal examination. External examination includes inspecting the body and clothes for injuries, marks, and evidence. Internal examination involves opening the three main body cavities - skull, thorax, and abdomen - to examine the organs. The cause and manner of death are then determined based on these examinations and specimen collection.
The document discusses objectives of medico-legal autopsies and inquests in Malaysia. The key points are:
1) An inquest is a preliminary inquiry conducted by a Coroner or Magistrate to ascertain the who, when, where, and how of a death. If the death was unnatural, the body may undergo a medico-legal autopsy ordered by the Coroner.
2) Autopsies are required for deaths due to unnatural causes, accidents, homicides, and some sudden natural deaths where the cause is unclear. They aim to determine the cause, manner, and circumstances of death.
3) Common causes of sudden natural death include cardiac diseases like heart attacks and
Postmortem changes occur immediately, early, and late after death. Immediate changes include cessation of brain, circulatory, and respiratory functions. Early changes are facial pallor, skin changes, eye changes, cooling of the body, lividity, and rigor mortis. Late changes include decomposition, adipocere formation, and mummification. Determining postmortem changes aids in estimating time since death and investigating causes of death.
death changes after death.ppt in the classDrSathishMS1
Postmortem changes occur immediately, early, and late after death. Immediate changes include cessation of brain, circulatory, and respiratory functions. Early changes are facial pallor, skin changes, eye changes, cooling of the body, lividity, and rigor mortis. Rigor mortis is caused by a chemical change in muscles and typically lasts 1-3 days. Late changes include decomposition through autolysis and bacterial action, resulting in discoloration, bloating, and maggot activity.
Postmortem changes occur immediately, early, and late after death. Immediate changes include cessation of brain, circulatory, and respiratory functions. Early changes are facial pallor, skin changes, eye changes, cooling of the body, lividity, and rigor mortis. Late changes include decomposition, adipocere formation, and mummification. Determining postmortem changes aids in estimating time since death and investigating causes of death.
Postmortem changes occur immediately, early, and late after death. Immediate changes include cessation of brain, circulatory, and respiratory functions. Early changes are facial pallor, skin changes, eye changes, cooling of the body, lividity, and rigor mortis. Rigor mortis is caused by a chemical change in muscles and typically lasts 1-3 days. Late changes include decomposition through autolysis and bacterial action, resulting in discoloration, bloating, and maggot activity.
This document discusses various changes that occur after death and how they can be used to estimate time since death. It describes immediate changes like loss of brain and respiratory function. Early changes include skin pallor, eye changes, algor mortis (cooling of the body), and livor mortis (postmortem lividity/discoloration). It outlines factors that affect algor mortis and the progression of livor mortis over time. The document emphasizes the importance of accurately determining time of death for medico-legal investigations.
Post mortem changes occur after death and can be categorized as immediate, early, or late changes. Immediate changes include the stoppage of nervous system function, respiration, and circulation. Early changes consist of facial pallor, loss of skin elasticity, muscle relaxation, eye changes, body cooling, post mortem staining, and rigor mortis. Late changes involve putrefaction and decomposition. Post mortem staining results from blood settling due to gravity and can provide clues about the decedent's position and cause of death. Rigor mortis is muscle stiffening that begins 1-2 hours after death and usually dissipates after 24 hours. These post mortem processes are important for medico-legal death investigations.
This document discusses various post-mortem changes that occur after death. It describes immediate changes such as cessation of brain, circulatory and respiratory functions. Early changes include facial pallor, skin changes, eye changes, body cooling, lividity and rigor mortis. Late changes involve decomposition, adipocere formation, mummification and factors that influence these processes. Estimating time since death is important for medico-legal investigations.
Thanatology is the scientific study of death, including the cause, phenomena, and postmortem changes. Death occurs in two stages - somatic/systemic and molecular/cellular. Somatic death is the irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions. Molecular death occurs piecemeal as tissues die at different rates. The time since death can be estimated by changes including algor mortis (cooling of the body), livor mortis (postmortem staining), and rigor mortis. Accurately determining the time and cause of death is important for legal and medical reasons.
This document discusses various topics related to death investigation including thanatology, the stages of death, postmortem changes, causes and mechanisms of death, and estimation of time since death. It describes the immediate changes that occur with somatic death including irreversible cessation of brain function, respiration, and circulation. Early molecular changes discussed include skin pallor, muscle flaccidity, contact pallor, changes in the eyes, algor mortis, livor mortis, and rigor mortis. Various causes, manners, and mechanisms of death are defined. Methods of determining time since death based on immediate, early, and late postmortem changes are also outlined.
- Thanatology is the scientific study of death, including the cause, phenomena, and postmortem changes that have medico-legal significance.
- Death occurs in two stages: somatic (clinical) death when circulatory and respiratory functions cease, and molecular death which happens more gradually on a cellular level.
- Several factors are considered when determining the time of death, including immediate changes like irreversible cessation of brain function, respiration, and circulation, as well as early changes like skin pallor, muscle flaccidity, cooling of the body, livor mortis, and rigor mortis.
- Accurately determining the time of death is important for explaining possible criminal acts and determining
The post-mortem interval (PMI), or time since death, is important for medico-legal investigations. Several biological processes occur after death that can help estimate PMI, including algor mortis (body cooling), livor mortis (lividity), rigor mortis (stiffening of muscles), and decomposition. These changes progress predictably and can indicate whether a death occurred within a few hours, 1-2 days, or longer. Additional clues include changes to the eyes, bone marrow, stomach contents, and ciliary or muscle electrical activity in the first few hours. Considering all signs together and accounting for environmental factors allows narrowing the estimated PMI window.
This document provides an overview of medicolegal aspects of death, including definitions of death, classifications of death, phases of death, manners of death, criteria for diagnosing death, and postmortem phenomena like changes that occur after death. It discusses topics like algor mortis, livor mortis, muscle changes including rigor mortis, decomposition processes like putrefaction and adipocere formation, and tests used to determine death. The document is presented by Pallavi Kumari as part of her studies in forensic science.
Thanatology
Types of transplants
Cause, Mechanism of Death
Manner of death
Anoxia
Signs of Death
Immediate Changes (Somatic Death)
Early Changes (Molecular Death)
Algor Mortis ......
Reference
This document discusses various topics related to thanatology (the scientific study of death), including definitions of death, modes of death, brain death, suspended animation, and early post-mortem changes. It defines death as the permanent and irreversible termination of biological functions or complete and irreversible loss of brain functions. Death occurs in two stages - somatic/clinical death followed by cellular/molecular death. Early changes after death include body cooling, hypostasis (livor mortis), and rigor mortis. Brain death is characterized by the irreversible loss of all brain functions except those of the brainstem. Suspended animation is a temporary suspension of vital processes that in some cases is reversible.
This document describes the postmortem changes that occur in the human body after death. It discusses immediate changes such as the cessation of brain and circulatory functions. Early changes include pallor of the skin, eye changes, muscle flaccidity, body cooling, lividity, and rigor mortis. Late changes involve putrefaction and mummification. Various stages of rigor mortis and the factors that influence its onset and duration are also outlined.
This document describes the postmortem changes that occur in the human body after death. It discusses immediate changes such as the cessation of brain and circulatory functions. Early changes include pallor of the skin, eye changes, muscle flaccidity, body cooling, lividity, and rigor mortis. Late changes involve putrefaction and mummification. It also provides details on various stages of rigor mortis development, factors that influence cooling of the body after death, and how lividity can provide clues about the position and time of death.
Fme4 forensic thanatology3(scientific study of death)Yaseen Muhammad
This document discusses various aspects of death including the mechanisms, stages, and signs. It notes that death occurs in two stages - somatic (clinical) death when vital functions cease, and cellular death when tissues and cells die. Some key signs of death mentioned are loss of brain function for 5 minutes, cessation of circulation/heart sounds for 5 minutes, and cessation of respiration for 5 minutes. Other signs include pallor, eye changes, cooling of the body, postmortem lividity, and rigor mortis. Determining the time of death and confirming death is important for organ donation and disposal of the body.
Death or Thantology.pptx death ppt useful pptDrSathishMS1
Thanatology is the scientific study of death, including the causes and processes of death. Death is defined as the irreversible cessation of life through the stoppage of the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems. There are two main types of death - somatic/systemic death which is the loss of bodily functions, and molecular/cellular death which is the death of individual cells after somatic death. Brain death is also considered legal death and can be diagnosed through the absence of brain stem reflexes and apnea testing. The determination and certification of death is important for organ transplantation and medico-legal implications. Suspended animation refers to a state where vital functions are very low but not fully ceased.
Ice rescue and immersion hypothermia slide shareRommie Duckworth
In cases of environmental hypothermia, the common sense approach of “Warm them up!” may be the worst thing that you can do for your patient. In this presentation we learn the deadly effects of immersion, after-drop and cold induced vasodilation and how to properly differentiate between mild, moderate and severe hypothermia. We will discuss wilderness EMT and extreme environment treatment algorithms and how they apply to your service area.
Rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles that occurs after death. It begins between 2-6 hours after death as ATP is no longer replenished and calcium causes perpetual muscle contraction. Rigor mortis reaches a maximum at around 12 hours and dissipates around 24-72 hours post-mortem. Several factors can alter its onset and duration including temperature, muscle exertion prior to death, and diseases. It is one sign used to estimate time of death but varies considerably between individuals.
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Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering
Syllabus
Chapter-1
Introduction to objective, scope and outcome the subject
Chapter 2
Introduction: Scope and Specialization of Civil Engineering, Role of civil Engineer in Society, Impact of infrastructural development on economy of country.
Chapter 3
Surveying: Object Principles & Types of Surveying; Site Plans, Plans & Maps; Scales & Unit of different Measurements.
Linear Measurements: Instruments used. Linear Measurement by Tape, Ranging out Survey Lines and overcoming Obstructions; Measurements on sloping ground; Tape corrections, conventional symbols. Angular Measurements: Instruments used; Introduction to Compass Surveying, Bearings and Longitude & Latitude of a Line, Introduction to total station.
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Chapter 4
Buildings: Selection of site for Buildings, Layout of Building Plan, Types of buildings, Plinth area, carpet area, floor space index, Introduction to building byelaws, concept of sun light & ventilation. Components of Buildings & their functions, Basic concept of R.C.C., Introduction to types of foundation
Chapter 5
Transportation: Introduction to Transportation Engineering; Traffic and Road Safety: Types and Characteristics of Various Modes of Transportation; Various Road Traffic Signs, Causes of Accidents and Road Safety Measures.
Chapter 6
Environmental Engineering: Environmental Pollution, Environmental Acts and Regulations, Functional Concepts of Ecology, Basics of Species, Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Hydrological Cycle; Chemical Cycles: Carbon, Nitrogen & Phosphorus; Energy Flow in Ecosystems.
Water Pollution: Water Quality standards, Introduction to Treatment & Disposal of Waste Water. Reuse and Saving of Water, Rain Water Harvesting. Solid Waste Management: Classification of Solid Waste, Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Solid. Recycling of Solid Waste: Energy Recovery, Sanitary Landfill, On-Site Sanitation. Air & Noise Pollution: Primary and Secondary air pollutants, Harmful effects of Air Pollution, Control of Air Pollution. . Noise Pollution Harmful Effects of noise pollution, control of noise pollution, Global warming & Climate Change, Ozone depletion, Greenhouse effect
Text Books:
1. Palancharmy, Basic Civil Engineering, McGraw Hill publishers.
2. Satheesh Gopi, Basic Civil Engineering, Pearson Publishers.
3. Ketki Rangwala Dalal, Essentials of Civil Engineering, Charotar Publishing House.
4. BCP, Surveying volume 1
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বাংলাদেশের অর্থনৈতিক সমীক্ষা ২০২৪ [Bangladesh Economic Review 2024 Bangla.pdf] কম্পিউটার , ট্যাব ও স্মার্ট ফোন ভার্সন সহ সম্পূর্ণ বাংলা ই-বুক বা pdf বই " সুচিপত্র ...বুকমার্ক মেনু 🔖 ও হাইপার লিংক মেনু 📝👆 যুক্ত ..
আমাদের সবার জন্য খুব খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ণ একটি বই ..বিসিএস, ব্যাংক, ইউনিভার্সিটি ভর্তি ও যে কোন প্রতিযোগিতা মূলক পরীক্ষার জন্য এর খুব ইম্পরট্যান্ট একটি বিষয় ...তাছাড়া বাংলাদেশের সাম্প্রতিক যে কোন ডাটা বা তথ্য এই বইতে পাবেন ...
তাই একজন নাগরিক হিসাবে এই তথ্য গুলো আপনার জানা প্রয়োজন ...।
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2. INTRODUCTION
– Definition: Thanatology (Greek thanatos: death) is the scientific study of death
in all its aspects including its cause and phenomena. It also includes bodily
changes that accompany death (postmortem changes) and their medico-legal
significance.
– The changes which occur after death are helpful in estimation of the
approximate time of death and to differentiate death from suspended
animation. It can be classified into:
– Immediate changes
– Early changes
– Late changes
3. CHANGES AFTER DEATH
IMMEDIATE CHANGES EARLY CHANGES LATE CHANGES
Irreversible cessation of: Loss of elasticity of the skin, & facial pallor Decomposition
Function of brain Primary relaxation of the muscles Modifications of
Putrefaction
Circulation Contact pallor and flattening
Respiration Changes in the eye
Algor mortis
Livor mortis
Rigor mortis
4. IMMEDIATE CHANGES
(SOMATIC DEATH)
• Somatic death is the permanent, irreversible death of an organism as a whole.
• Traditionally the concept was that it occurs when there is irreversible cessation of
heart, lungs and brain [Bichat’s criteria].
5. IMMEDIATE CHANGES
(SOMATIC DEATH)
– Irreversible cessation of the function of brain including brainstem:
Stoppage of functions of the nervous system
Insensibility and loss of both sensory and motor functions
Loss of reflexes, no response and no tonicity of the muscles.
Pupils are widely dilated.
This condition is sometimes seen in:
• Prolonged fainting attack
• Vagal inhibitory phenomenon
• Epilepsy, mesmeric trance, catalepsy, narcosis, electrocution.
6. IMMEDIATE CHANGES
(SOMATIC DEATH)
– Irreversible cessation of respiration:
Complete stoppage of respiration for > 4 min
Stoppage of respiration can be established by the following tests:
i. Inspection: No visible respiratory movement.
ii. Palpation: No respiratory movement can be felt.
iii. Auscultation: Breath sounds cannot be heard from any part of the lungs.
Feather test, mirror test and Winslow's test are no longer utilized.
Respiration may stop briefly without death as in:
• Voluntary breath holding
• Drowning
• Cheyne-Stokes respiration
• Newborns.
7. IMMEDIATE CHANGES
(SOMATIC DEATH)
– Irreversible cessation of circulation:
Stoppage of heart beat for > 3–5 min
Tests performed to test circulation:
i. Radial, brachial, femoral and carotid pulsations will be absent, if the circulation has stopped.
ii. Auscultation of heart: Absence of the heart beat over the whole precordial area and
particularly over the area of the apex.
iii. ECG: In case of cessation of circulation, the ECG curve is absent and the tracing shows a flat
line without any elevation or depression.
iv. Other tests: Various tests, like diaphanous, magnus, I-card, pressure, cut and heat tests are
now obsolete.
8. TEST TO DETECT STOPPAGE
– BRAIN FUNCTION (Tests for “sensibility”)
Blowing a strong stimulant such as hellebore or mustard into the nose
Inserting a sharp instrument under the nail
Cauterization or incisions
Scalding with hot water or oil
Trumpeting or loud noises
– TESTS FOR RESPIRATON
Winslow’s test
Mirror test
Feather test
Other (Submerging the body in water to detect bubbles produced by respiration)
9. TEST TO DETECT STOPPAGE
– TESTS FOR CIRCULATION:
Magnus test (ligature test)
Icard’s test
Diaphanous test (transillumination test)
Finger nail test
Other tests
o Cutting a small artery
o Heat test
10. SUSPENDED ANIMATION
(APPARENT DEATH)
– Definition: Suspended animation is a condition in which vital signs of life (heart
beat and respiration) are not detected by routine clinical methods, as the
functions are interrupted for some time or are reduced to a minimum.
– Mechanism: The metabolic rate is greatly reduced so that the requirement of
the individual cell for oxygen is satisfied through the dissolved oxygen in body
fluids.
– Types:
Two types:
i. Voluntary: Seen in practitioners of yoga or in trance.
ii. Involuntary: Seen in hypothermia, poisoning with barbiturates or opiates, newborns,
drowning, electrocution, heatstroke, cholera, postanesthesia, shock, cerebral
concussion or insanity.
11. EARLY CHANGES
(MOLECULAR DEATH)
– Changes in the skin and facial pallor
– Primary relaxation or flaccidity of the muscles
– Contact flattening and pallor
– Changes in the eye
Loss of corneal and pupillary reflexes
Pupils
Opacity of the cornea
Tache noire
Loss of intraocular tension
Changes in the retina
Vitreous potassium and hypoxanthine
12. ALGOR MORTIS
(COOLING OF BODY)
– Definition: Algor mortis (Latin algor: coolness, mortis: death) or chill of death is the
cooling of the body that normally takes place after death, where the body temperature
equilibrates with its environmental temperature.
– Salient features:
Transfer - During life heat is constantly transferred from one body part to other by
conduction as well as convection [through flow of blood]. After death this occurs only
through conduction, as blood flow stops.
Heat production - There is some production of heat during initial period after
somatic death due to two mechanisms:
(i) ATP molecules breaking down [up to 2 h only]
(ii) Anaerobic glycolysis [much longer]. Because of this, rectal temp falls little or not
at all during first 2 hours.
13. ALGOR MORTIS
(COOLING OF BODY)
Cooling – occurs from the surface of the body to the surroundings. It occurs due to temp difference
between the body and surroundings [air, water etc]. If the temperature of surroundings is higher,
the body temp may actually rise.
Core temp:
(i) Core temperature is the temp of the viscera. It is slightly lesser as compared to surface temp of
the body.
(ii) Core temp is a better guide to TSD than surface temp.
Ambient temperature – Human body rarely reaches the ambient atmospheric temperature unless
the latter is at or near freezing point. This is because of the heat released due to enzymatic and
bacterial actions on the body.
Site to take temp from: (i) Rectal - Best method.
14. ALGOR MORTIS
(COOLING OF BODY)
Method of recording temp:
(i) By touching
(ii) Lab thermometer
(iii) Thermocouple
Things to be recorded:
(i) Temp of body
(ii) Temp of environment
(iii) Time of recording
Number of recordings - at least 5 at half hour intervals, so rate of fall may be obtained.
15. ALGOR MORTIS
(COOLING OF BODY)
Calculation of TSD (in hours):
Normal Rectal Temperature – Measured Rectal Temperature
Rate of fall of temperature / hour
(i) Rectal temperature is higher in case of struggle or exercise prior to death.
(ii) Low temperature is seen in congestive cardiac failure, hemorrhage, collapse and secondary
shock.
TSD= 98.6ᵒF – Rectal Temp(ᵒF)/1.5
16. ALGOR MORTIS
(COOLING OF BODY)
– Factors affecting Algor Mortis
Environmental temperature (major factor)
Air movement
Humidity
Media of disposal
Built of cadaver
Age and sex
Clothing or coverings of the body
Position and posture of the body
Mode of death
17. ALGOR MORTIS
(COOLING OF BODY)
– Medico-legal Importance of Algor Mortis:
i. It is a sign of death.
ii. It helps in the estimation of the time of death.
iii. Rapid cooling of a dead body delays the processes of rigor mortis and
decomposition. If the heat is preserved for a longer period, then both the processes
start early.
18. LIVOR MORTIS
(POSTMORTEM LIVIDITY)
– Postmortem lividity (syn: cadaveric lividity, darkening of death, hypostasis, livor mortis (L.
Livor, blueness; mortis, death), livores, postmortem hypostasis, postmortem lividity,
Postmortem staining, subcutaneous hypostasis, suggillation) is the:
(i) Bluish-purple or purplish-red discoloration
(ii) Which appears after death,
(iii) On the most dependent parts of the skin
(iv) Due to collection of blood in the capillaries and small veins (rete mucosum) of the
most superficial layers of the dermis
(v) Due to gravity.
19. LIVOR MORTIS
(POSTMORTEM LIVIDITY)
– Salient features:
(1) Cause:
(i) Stoppage of circulation
(ii) tendency of blood to sink by gravity to the most dependent parts; its collection in toneless BV and
capillaries
(iii) Backward flow – of venous blood to the capillaries from the venular end [adds to the blueness of
pm staining]
(2) Color:
(i) Hue – Bluish purple, but may vary in different parts of the body
(ii) Intensity – depends upon the amount of reduced Hb in the blood. Large amounts of reduced Hb
produce deep purplish coloration
(iii) Portions drained of blood – become correspondingly pale
(iv) may depend on cause of death.
20. LIVOR MORTIS
(POSTMORTEM LIVIDITY)
Etiology Color of Liver Mechanism
Normal Red-Blue-Purple Venous Blood
Carbon Monoxide Pink, cherry-red Carboxyhemoglobin
Cyanide Pink, cherry-red Excessive oxygenated blood
because of inhibition of
cytochrome oxidase
Refrigeration/hypothermia Pink, cherry-red Oxygen retention in
cutaneous blood by cold air
Hydrogen sulfate Green Sulfhemoglobin
Sodium chlorate Brown Methemoglobin
21. LIVOR MORTIS
(POSTMORTEM LIVIDITY)
(3) Place:
(i) In general – well marked in lobes of ears and in tissues underneath fingernails
(ii) back of chest and abdomen in supine position. Most common
(iii) front of chest and abdomen in prone position;
(iv) lower legs and hands in hanging
(v) Face in drowning [in drowning, face is the most dependent part]. On the contrary, antigravity regions
of the body are drained of blood and become pale.
(4) Visibility:
(i) More clearly seen in
(a) fair skinned people
(b) young having good nutrition and normal hemogram
(ii) Less clearly appreciated in
(a) dark colored people
(b) old, anemic persons
22. LIVOR MORTIS
(POSTMORTEM LIVIDITY)
(5) PM staining and congestion:
(i) True congestion
(ii) Hypostatic congestion – may occur even a few hours before death in persons dying slowly with
circulatory failure, eg asphyxia, CCF, cholera, coma [deep], poisonings.
– Medico-legal Importance of PM Staining
i. It is a sign of death.
ii. The time since death can be roughly estimated from the formation, extension and fixation of the
postmortem staining.
iii. It indicates the posture of the body at the time of death
iv. It may indicate the moving of the body to another position sometime after death.
v. Cause of death may be judged from the distribution and color of postmortem staining.
CONGESTION
PM STAINING
23. L
I
V
O
R
M
O
R
T
I
S
(
P
M
L
I
V
I
D
I
T
Y
)
Differentiation: PM staining and bruise
S.No. Feature PM staining Bruise
1. Situation On the dependant parts Anywhere
2. Tissue level Undersurface of the skin Subcutaneous tissue level
3. Surface Not elevated May be slightly elevated
4. Margin Sharp and clearly defined Diffuse
5. Color Bluish or purplish red Reddish when fresh, change in color occurs
with time
6. Cause Capillo-venous distension with blood Extravasation of blood from capillaries
7. Nature of change Postmortem Antemortem
8. Effect of pressure Pressed spot appears pale No change
9. Cut section Oozing of blood from the vessels which
can
Hemorrhage in the tissue which
be cleaned by washing cannot be washed
10. Microscopically Engorgement of capillaries infiltration Extravasation of blood, cellular infiltration
11. Enzymatic study No change Change in the level of certain enzymes
12. Medico-legal importance Time of death and position of the body Nature of injury and weapon used may
may be known be known
25. BLANCHING:- It is the area where the livor mortis is absent: the involved body surface appears pale to
white, in contrast with the surrounding red/purple skin. This contact blanching may capture
the shape and pattern of objects that were in contact with the dependent parts of the body
surface during livor mortis formation.
TARDIEU SPOT:- Purple to black spots on the skin that can develop along with lividity, from the rupture
of capillaries.
BLANCHING TARDIEU SPOTS
26. RIGOR MORTIS
(STIFFNESS AFTER DEATH)
– Definition: Rigor mortis (Latin, stiffness of death) is that state of the muscles in a dead body when
they become stiff or rigid with some degree of shortening.
– Rigor can be seen within 30 min. to 1 hour after death.
– Covers the entire body after 8-12 hours.
– Complete Rigor will remain for about 8-12 hrs.
– Rigor begins to dissipate over the next 12 hrs.
– This is dependent on environmental temperatures
– Fully flaccid body by 36 hours.
– Mechanisms Leading to Rigor:
Metabolic activity after death continues for short time and becomes anaerobic (lacking oxygen)
ATP hydrolyzes to ADP
Calcium ions diffuse from sarcoplasmic reticulum
27. Causes chemical lock between actin and myosin proteins,
As body proteins decompose, chemical locks breakdown and muscles become flaccid again.
– Cadaveric Spasm
Cadaveric spasm Cadaveric spasm [syn cataleptic rigidity, instantaneous rigidity, instantaneous rigor,
postmortem spasm] is a rare condition, in which the muscles that were in contraction at the
moment of death, remain in contraction after death without passing through the stage of primary
relaxation
– Factors Affecting Rigor Mortis
Muscular Activity
Environmental Temperature
Cause of death and condition of the body
Built
Age
28. LATE CHANGES
A. DECOMPOSITION
Autolysis
Putrefaction
B. CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE RATE OF PUTREFACTION
External
Internal
C. CASPER’S DICTUM
D. ML ASPECTS OF PUTREFACTION
E. MODIFICATIONS OF PUTREFACTION
Adipocere
Mummification
29. A. DECOMPOSITION
– Autolysis is the breakdown of cells and organs through an aseptic chemical
process caused by intracellular enzymes.
– Putrefaction is due to fermentation by bacteria. After death, the bacterial flora
of the GIT spread throughout the body, producing putrefaction.
External phenomena
Color changes
Development of foul smelling compounds
Other changes
Appearance of maggots
30. (a) Larynx and trachea
(b) Brain of infants
(c) Stomach, intestines
(d) Spleen
(e) Omentum and Mesentery
(f) Liver
(g) Adult Brain
(h) Heart
(i) Lungs
(j) Kidneys
(k) Adrenals
(l) bladder
(m) Esophagus
(n) Pancreas
(o) Diaphragm
(p) Blood vessels
(q) Gall bladder
(r) Skin, muscle, tendons
(s) Prostate, virgin uterus
(t) bones.
Internal phenomena
Order of putrefaction
– General rule - The softer the organ, the more blood it contains and the nearer to sources of
bacteria it is, the faster it putrefies
– In general, organs show putrefactive changes in the following order –
Skeletonization (last stage)
31. B. CONDITIONS AFFECTING
THE RATE OF PUTREFACTION
External
Air
Clothing
Manner of burial
Moisture
Temperature
Internal
Age
Sex
Condition of the body
32. Cause of death
Putrefaction is rapid in deaths due to:
(i) Anasarca [generalized]
(ii) Asphyxia
(iii) Inflammatory conditions
(iv) Peritonitis
(v) Epticemia
Putrefaction is delayed in deaths due to:
(i) Anemia
(ii) Debility
(iii) Wasting diseases
(iv) Poisons which either have preservative action on tissues or a destructive [or inhibitory]
action on bacteria or both.
Mutilation
33. C. CASPER’S DICTUM
– Casper’s dictum [syn Casper’s law, Casper Regel, Casper’s Rule] states that the time taken
for same amount of putrefaction to occur when the body is in air, water and buried in
earth is in the ratio of 1:2:8. Putrefaction occurs fastest in air and slowest in earth.
AIR WATER EARTH
34. D. ML ASPECTS OF
PUTREFACTION
– Time of death
– Cause of death
– Infanticides
– Poisons
– Raygat’s Test
35. E. MODIFICATIONS OF
PUTREFACTION
– Adipocere
Adipocere (Latin adipo fat, cera wax) is a modification of putrefaction in which a friable,
crumbly, water insoluble grayish-white to brown wax-like material is produced in the
dead body by the breakdown and conversion of body fats to fatty acids (FA), mainly oleic,
palmitic, and stearic acids.
– Mummification
Mummification is a modification of putrefaction in which the skin becomes brittle,
contracted, dried, firm, leathery tough, parchment like, shrunken and wrinkled, turning
yellow-brown to black in color. [from Latin mumia, bitumen; because of the blackened
skin, bitumen was once thought to be used by Egyptians to produce mummies].
36. The decomposition of a body can be divided into
several stages, even if the duration of each stage
may vary a lot:
– 2 - 3 days: green staining begins on the right side of the abdomen.
• Body begins to swell.
– 3 - 4 days: staining spreads.
• Veins go "marbled" - a brownish black discoloration
– 5-6 days: abdomen swells with gas.
• Skin blisters
– 2 weeks: abdomen very tight and swollen.
– 3 weeks: tissue softens. Organs and cavities bursting. Nails fall off
– 4 weeks: soft tissues begin to liquefy. Face becoming unrecognizable
– 4 - 6 months: formation of adipocere, if in damp place.
• This is when the fat goes all hard and waxy.
– A body without a coffin will be decayed within 12 years.