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36 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Forensic Specialists |
Forensic Anthropologist
Forensic Archaeologist Forensic Chemist Forensic Dentist Forensic Document Investigator Forensic Entomologist Forensic Geologist Forensic Pathologist Forensic Photographer Forensic Psychiatrist/ Psychologist Forensic Radiologist Forensic Serologist Forensic Taphonomist Forensic Toxicologist
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Decomposition Process |
5 general stages are used to describe the process of decomposition in vertebrate animals: fresh, bloat, active and advanced decay, and dry/remains. The general stages of decomposition are coupled with two stages of chemical decomposition: autolysis and putrefaction. These two stages contribute to the chemical process of decomposition, which breaks down the main components of the body.
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Algor Mortis "cold" /" deadly" |
Time Since Death: 0-2 hours (1.5F per hour) Body loses heat, core body temperature falls to that of the surrounding environment Depends on environment temperature, clothing if worn, temperature of the body before death, and size of the body |
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Livor Mortis "bluish colour" |
Time Since Death: 1-4 hours (livor mortist because fixed approx. 4-6 hours after death) Blood clotting, bruising/ blanching become evident, blood coagulates Blood settles 15-20 minutes after death, good for identifying postmortem interval and also the position of the body at time of death |
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Rigor Mortis "stiffness"/ "of death" |
Time Since Death: 2-4 hours Lactic acid build up in muscle tissue, proteins in muscles begin to fuse, muscle groups stiffen, stiffening dissipates after 24-48 hours The time is takes for Rigor Mortis to set is determined by increased body temperature (faster), physical activity (faster), heavier/ sedentary bodies with normal temperature have a slower rate of onset and last longer |
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Autopsy Procedure |
External Examination: The pathologists weigh and measure the body, noting the subject's clothing, valuables and characteristics such as eye color, hair color and length, ethnicity, sex and age. Then they examine the body, searching for gunpowder residue, paint flakes or other deposits, identifying marks such as scars or tattoos, or injuries. Internal Examination: The pathologist removes and dissects the chest, abdominal and pelvic organs, and (if necessary) the brain. It is unusual to examine the face, arms, hands or legs internally. Once each organ has been examined within the body, it is removed, weighed and examined in further detail. Sometimes organs are removed individually, a procedure referred to as the Virchow technique; other times, they are removed as a connected group, via the Rokitansky technique. Then the testing of the bodily fluids. Reconstituting the Body: Organs are returned to the body, preserved for further evidence, or other depending on the family's wishes. Prior to being sewn shut with the characteristic "baseball stitch," the body is lined with cotton wool or a similar material. If the organs are to be returned to the body, they are first placed in bags to prevent leakage. The body is then sewn shut, washed and prepared for the funeral director. |
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What is Anthropology? |
The study of humankind, wherever and whenever it isfound.
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Subfields of Anthropology |
Major Fields of Study in Anthropology:
1. Social-Cultural 2. Linguistics (Languages) 3. Archaeology 4. Biological (Physical) |
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Canadian Provinces using Coroner System |
The provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador have a Medical Examiner system, meaning that all death investigations are conducted by specialist physicians trained in Forensic Pathology, with the assistance of other medical and law enforcement personnel. All other provinces run on a coroner system. In Prince Edward Island, and Ontario, all coroners are, by law, physicians.
In the other provinces and territories with a coroner system, namely British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec,New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, coroners are not necessarily physicians but generally have legal, medical, or investigative backgrounds. |
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Coroner vs. Med. Examiner |
Coroner - no special training (legal or med.) - administrative role (Judgement of Inquiry) - must have inquests - privileges (can't be sued) *can go anywhere without search warrant* Med. Examiner - physician - forensic pathologist - must go to crime scene * only they can issue death certificate* - cannot call inquests - can be sued * can go anywhere without a search warrant* |
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Forensic Pathologist |
Forensic pathology is a sub-specialty of pathology that focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse.
Specialist in pathology ( knowledge of disease process) responsible for carrying out autopsies of murder victims and recording evidence found on the body as to the manner and time of death. They also determine the medical cause of death. |
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Duties of Forensic Anthropologist |
Correct certification of death
Public information Public education Aid civil justice administration Aid criminal justice administration |
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The "Big 4" Questions |
1. Age Determination 2. Sex Determination 3. Ancestry 4. Stature |
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Osteobiography |
Profile of an individual. Reconstruction of an ante-mortembiological biography, including attempted reconstruction of a victim’s way oflife up to the time of death.
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Cause of Death |
The actual medical reasonthat an individual expired .
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Manner of Death |
-Natural -Unnatural or Violent |
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Types of Unnatural Manners of Death |
a) Accident
b) Suicide c) Homicide d) Undetermined e) Unclassified (not all provinceshave this classification) |
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Golden Triangle |
1. Scene of death/discovery of body
2. Body/autopsy 3. History of decedent Dynamic interaction “The three legged stool” |
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Taphonomy |
The study of what happens to an organism after its death and until its discovery as a fossil. This includes decomposition, post-mortem transport, burial, compaction, and other chemical, biologic, or physical activity which affects the remains of the organism.
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Forensic Archaeology
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The application of theories and methods in archaeology to the medico legal investigation of deaths.
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Hinton via. Rail Mass Disaster (Feb. 08, 1986) |
Collision between a Canadian NationalRailways freight train and a Via Rail passenger train, thirteen kilometers eastof the town of Hinton in Alberta. Twenty-three people perished.
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Categories of Burned Bones |
Charred: Internal organs still present - serology/ visual Partially: Soft tissue - skeletal, possibly serology Incompletely*: Bone pieces - skeletal Completely*: Ashes - very little (* of interest to Forensic Anthropologists) |
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Changes to Heated Bone |
105C - 600C: Dehydration, oxidation, reduction - water removal 500C - 800C: Decompostion - removal of organic components (e.g. collagen) 700C - 1100C: Inversion - removal of carbonates 800C Critical: Conversion of HAP to Tricalcium Phosphate 1600 +C: Fusion - melting of HAP crystals |
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Types of Heat Fractures |
Longitudinal: straight down long bones Straight Transverse: step fracture Curved Transverse: thumbnail Patina: crackle design (ends of the long bones and skull) Delamination: peeing of bone layers |
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Mitochondrial DNA |
- many copies of each cell, located in mitochondria - from mother only - same as mother |
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Nuclear DNA |
- half from mother, half from father - equal amounts of DNA for each parent - not equal amounts of everything else - in nucleus in nearly every cell - from both parents - unique |
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Why identify the unknown? |
• It allows a death certificate to be issued
• It allows for notification of next-of-kin • It allows a funeral to take place • It allows wills to be read • It allows spouses to remarry • It allows children to be legally adopted • It allows business affairs to be concluded • It allows life insurance to be issued • It allows the grieving process to take place naturally (it isn’t cut offin mid-stream) • It allows the documentation of war crimes and crimes against humanity forfuture generations |
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Coroner History |
• Britain, 1194, Articles of Eyre
• Extended Royal control overjustice and local government • Articles of Eyre provided forthe election of three knights and clerks by every county as “keepers of thepleas of the crown”. • These people became known as“crowners” • One of their duties was todecide if people had committed suicide. |
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Medical Examiner |
• 1635, Coroner system in NewEngland
• 1877, Boston established systemsubstituting medical examiner for coroner • They were able to investigateviolent deaths, but originally unable to order autopsies • 1915, Creation of the medicalexaminer system in New York City • Dr. Charles Norris and Dr.Milton Helpern • 1939, first statewide medicalexaminer system established in Maryland |
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Judicial System |
- Europe |
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Types of Identification |
Tentative - drivers license Presumption (Circumstantial) - passenger manifest - all others eliminated Positive |
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Expert Witness |
- someone who has been certified to give opinion about evidence (not just scientists) |
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Physical Data |
The physical data provide an indexing of sex, race or ethnicity, age, height,weight, hair color, eye color, body build, scars, unusual characteristics,visible distinguishing marks, fingerprints, photographs, x-rays, blood type,and so forth, plus the details of medical and dental examinations, including autopsy findings.
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Social Data |
The social data consist of a variety of items as follows: name,date and place of birth, names of father and mother (if known), social security number, identification card numbers, aliases, education record, work record,military record, political record, police record, family medical history,marital status, religion, name of next-of-kin, and the relationship of the next-of-kin to the deceased.
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Frye Standard |
Frye vs. U.S. – 1923 – “Frye Standard” – introduction of lie detectors to courts
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Daubert Ruling |
Daubert vs. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals – 1993 – trial judge must evaluate the scientific evidence to ensure relevance and reliability
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