Types of Death Aim: how does a CSI use the various stages of death to help solve a crime? HW: Finish Dead Flies Tell No Lies

Hint: Notice the bones in the trash. An inconsiderate slob dumped trash on Rachel Rabbit's lawn. One of these two suspects is guilty. Slylock Fox found evidence that may identify the loathsome litterbug. What did Slylock observe to help him identify the trash tosser? Source:

Slylock found bones in the trash. The bull is an herbivore and only eats plants. The raccoon is an omnivore and eats both plants and animals. The raccoon is the trash tosser.

1. Ted Bundy was an American serial killer who was convicted on the basis of which type of forensic evidence? A. Bite marks C. DNA fingerprinting B. Latent fingerprints D. Ballistics 2. The time of death can be calculated by various means. One is rigor mortis, Latin for 'the stiffness of death'. Another indication is livor mortis or lividity. What does this term refer to? A. Cloudiness in the eyes B. Gravitational pooling of blood C. Degree of digestion of stomach contents D. Relaxation of muscles following to rigor mortis 3. When attempting to identify a skeleton, craniofacial morphology (the structure and form of the skull and face) is the best indicator of race. One group of human beings has a unique, rounded jaw bone which is called a 'rocker jaw'. This is a characteristic of which ethnic group? A. Australian Aborigines C. African Americans B. Chinese D. Hawaiians

1. Ted Bundy was an American serial killer who was convicted on the basis of which type of forensic evidence? A. Bite marks C. DNA fingerprinting B. Latent fingerprints D. Ballistics 2. The time of death can be calculated by various means. One is rigor mortis, Latin for 'the stiffness of death'. Another indication is livor mortis or lividity. What does this term refer to? A. Cloudiness in the eyes B. Gravitational pooling of blood C. Degree of digestion of stomach contents D. Relaxation of muscles following to rigor mortis 3. When attempting to identify a skeleton, craniofacial morphology (the structure and form of the skull and face) is the best indicator of race. One group of human beings has a unique, rounded jaw bone which is called a 'rocker jaw'. This is a characteristic of which ethnic group? A. Australian Aborigines C. African Americans B. Chinese D. Hawaiians Livor is Latin for 'a black and blue spot' and refers to the discoloration of the skin in the lowest part of a body resulting from the gravitational pooling of blood.

Manner in which death occurred classified into 5 categories 1.Natural 2.Accidental 3.Homicide 4.Suicide 5.Undetermined????

Estimating Time of Death After death body goes through several stages of decomposition Based on stage victim was found in, time of death can be determined

Rigor Mortis stiffenImmediately following death, Muscles shorten & body parts stiffen in position they were in when death occurs Appears within 24 hours Disappears within 36 hours Rigor mortis is the reason why the word "stiff" is a slang term for a dead body

Livor Mortis Blood settles to areas closest to ground Skin turns a blue/purple color Begins immediately and continues up to 12 hours after death No discoloration in areas that were restricted by clothing/objects Determines change of position after death

Algor Mortis Body starts to lose heat 1-1.5°F per hour until room or outside temperature is reached (Rate of heat loss influenced by location, size of body, clothing, & weather conditions) Only gives an approximate time of death

Potassium Levels After death cells within the inner surface of the eye release K into ocular (eye) fluid Check amount of K at various intervals to determine rate its released and approximate time of death