1. INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC MEDICINE
Robert C. Bux, MD
Coroner/Medical Examiner
El Paso County

2. DUTIES OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER
Determine the cause and manner of death
Positively identify the deceased
Determine the time of death
Collect evidence from the body
Document injuries and natural diseases
Provide expert testimony in court

3. CASES REQUIRING INVESTIGATION
Sudden, unexpected deaths
Suspicious deaths
Trauma related deaths
Deaths in custody
Deaths in the work place
Deaths in less than 24 hours after admission to an institution

4. CAUSE OF DEATH
Any injury or disease that is responsible for initiating a train of events, brief or prolonged, that result in the individual dying.

5. MECHANISM OF DEATH
The physiological derangement produced by the cause of death which results in death.

6. MANNER OF DEATH
An opinion based on known facts concerning the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the death in conjunction with the findings at autopsy and the laboratory tests.

7. Death resulting from a natural disease process.
NATURAL DEATH
Death resulting from a natural disease process.

8. SUDDEN DEATH
Cardiac arrhythmia (25% of all A.M.I.’s present with a sudden death)
Pulmonary embolus
Seizure disorder
Berry aneurysm or CVA (rarely sudden)
Drug overdose (cocaine or heroin)

11. ACCIDENTAL DEATH
An unexpected death which results from a lawful act performed under a reasonable belief that no harm is possible.

14. “GOOD JUDGMENT COMES FROM EXPERIENCE; AND EXPERIENCE – WELL, THAT COMES FROM POOR JUDGMENT.”
Anonymous Surgeon, Vietnam

37. Toxicology Blood: Vitreous: Alcohols - 0.111 g/dl Ethanol
Acid & neutral screen - None detected
Alkaline screen - None detected
Cannabinoids - None Detected
Volatiles mg/l Toluene
Vitreous:
Alcohols g/dl Ethanol

38. The deliberate termination of one’s existence.
SUICIDE
The deliberate termination of one’s existence.

43. The killing of one human being by the act or omission of another.
HOMICIDE
The killing of one human being by the act or omission of another.

46. UNDETERMINED
Autopsy and investigation fail to provide sufficient information to establish a manner of death.