1. Autopsies

2. Death and Autopsies
The dead body of a victim can be one of the most important pieces of evidence
The body is treated just like all the other evidence
Forensic pathologists examine the body’s anatomy, tissues, blood, organs etc. to determine a cause of death

3. Forensics Pathologists Must Answer
Who is the victim?
What injuries are present?
When did the injuries occur?
Why and how were the injuries produced?
How did this person die?

4. Autopsy
If observation cannot determine cause of death an autopsy is performed
Autopsy – medical dissection and examination of a body in order to determine the cause of death.
Five classifications for cause of death
Natural
Homicide
Suicide
Accident
Undetermined

5. Evidence during Autopsy
Victim is examined to determine cause or manner of death
Tissues and organs are examined for abnormalities and toxins
Coroner will send the following items to the forensic lab:
Victim’s clothing
Fingernail scrapings
Head and pubic hair
Blood (DNA)
Vaginal, anal, and oral swabs (sex crimes)
Recovered bullets from body
Hand swabs from shooting victims

6. Collected evidence must be protected from any changes.
Changes can occur through:
Contamination
Breakage
Evaporation
Accidental scratching
Bending
Or it can be lost all together
Evidence should be kept in original condition unless it is attached to a large or unmovable object
Example: Deliver the whole shirt to the lab not just the hair found on the shirt

7. Some tools that are used:
Each item is placed in a separate container which prevents damage or cross contamination
Some tools that are used:
Forceps (tweezers)
Unbreakable plastic pill bottles (hair/fibers)
Manila envelopes, screw cap glass vials, cardboard pill boxes, folded paper, sealable plastic bag (trace evidence)
Paper bags for clothing prevents mold from growing which can destroy DNA samples
Charred debris should be stored in airtight containers to keep petroleum from evaporating (new paint cans/tightly sealed jars)

8. Estimating Time of Death
Several stages of decomposition after death
Medical examiner can determine time of death by observing which stage of decomposition the body is in.
Rigor mortis – occurs between the first 24 and 36 hours of death. Muscles stiffen and the body becomes rigid.
Livor mortis – settling of blood in areas of the body closest to the ground. The skin appears dark blue or purple in this area
Algor mortis – body temperature cools until it reaches room temperature
Can be affected by size and location of body, victims clothing, weather conditions
Body loses heat at a rate of degrees Fahrenheit per hour until it reaches room temperature

9. Determining potassium levels in ocular fluid can also be helpful in estimating time of death.
Potassium is released from the cells after death so amount of potassium can tell you how long they have been dead
Amount of food in the stomach can be used to determine when that person ate their last meal.