Book+notes+308-322

CSI notes (pg 308-322)

Death has many definitions- 1)	the cessation or end of life 2)	the irreversible cessation of circulation of blood 3)	cessation of all brain activity -death is a process not an instant Autolysis- cell breakdown Autopsy- examination of the dead- used in cases that are not natural cause of death Manner of Death- the way a person dies 1)	Natural Death- interruption and failure of body functions resulting from ago or disease 2)	Accidental death- unplanned events, such as a car accident or falling from a ladder 3)	Suicidal death- when one person takes their own life 4)	Homicidal death- when one person takes another persons life 5)	“undermined death”- Cause of Death- the reason someone dies •	disease •	physical injury •	stroke •	heart attack •	shooting •	burning •	hanging Proximate cause of death- underlying reason Mechanism of Death- specific changes in the body that brought about the cessation of life

Time of Death Livor Mortis: Livor Mortis- death color -turns purple when oxygen form the red blood cells is released and pools in certain parts of the body Lividity-pooling of the blood -begins two hours after death -discoloration becomes permanent after 8 hours -heat-faster -impeding the flow-belt tight wrist watch -position of the corpse-gravity -dual pooling shows corpse was moved

Rigor Mortis:- death stiffness -temporary condition-starts at head and goes down to legs -12 hours most rigor state -36 hours grad disappears -why? -skeletal muscles unable to relax and remain contracted and hard -calcium accumulates in the muscle tissue Effects- 1)	Ambient Temperature- cooler the body slower the onset rigor. Warmer the body onset is faster because chemical reaction happen more quickly 2)	A persons weight- body fat stores extra oxygen and will slow down rigor mortis-less oxygen faster rigor 3)	Type of clothing- keeps body temperature accelerates rigor, naked slows down 4)	Illness- fever set in faster hypothermia slower 5)	Level of Physical activity shortly before death- exercise or struggle rigor faster 6)	Sun Exposure- sunlight will be warmer and faster

Algor Mortis- death heat-describes temp loss in a corpse -thermometer into the liver to get temp of corpse -time frame -1 hour = 1.4 F/ hour -after the first 12 hours body looses .7 F/ hour -approx 1 F/ hour-the norm windy/cool- faster hot/ body fat/clothes- slower

Stomach and Intestinal Contents- -4-6 hour for stomach to empty into small intestine -another 12 for food to leave small intestine -24 hours total till released form large intestine Shows: •	Undigested food- 0-2 from last meal •	Small intestine 4-6 from last meal •	Large intestine 12 hours form last meal

Changes of the Eye Following Death: -surface of the eye dries -thin film 2-3 hours-eye open at death -24 hours-eyes closed at death

Stages of Decomposition: 1)	within two days a.	cell autolysis begins b.	green and purplish staining occurs form blood decomposition c.	skin takes on a marbled appearance d.	face become discolored 2)	after four days a.	skin blisters b.	abdomen swells with the gas carbon dioxide that I releaser by bacteria living in the intestines 3)	within 6-10 days a.	corpse bloats with carbon dioxide as bacteria continue to feel on tissues—gas causes chest and abdominal cavities to burst and collapse b.	fluids begin to leak from the body opening as cell membranes rupture c.	eyeballs and other tissues liquefy d.	skin sloughs off

decomposition- rotting of all tissues and organs

Faster if: sick, young, overweight, naked, 70-99, higher temps Slower if: healthy, old, normal weight, clothed, lower temps

Insects: Forensic Entomology- study of bugs Observe: environmental conditions- temp, moisture, wind—around and below the body Collect: insect evidence from on above and below the body, area around the vic