NCJ Number
52812
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
IN THIS VIDEO TAPE TEACHING PROGRAM FOR FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS, CHANGES IN THE BODY OCCURRING AFTER DEATH ARE EXPLAINED, ALONG WITH IMPLICATIONS OF THESE BODILY CHANGES FOR ESTABLISHING TIME AND CAUSE OF DEATH.
Abstract
CHANGES THAT TAKE PLACE AT THE TIME OF DEATH--AN END TO RESPIRATION AND CIRCULATION, EYE CHANGES, AND RELAXATION OF THE MUSCLE TONE--ARE DESCRIBED, ALONG WITH THE EFFECTS OF THE CHANGES ON THE APPEARANCE OF THE HUMAN BODY. FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING BOTH THE TIME AND CAUSE OF DEATH ARE INSTRUCTED TO EXAMINE THE STATUS OF RIGOR MORTIS, LIVIDITY AND COLOR OF LIVIDITY, BODY TEMPERATURE, AND FACIAL HAIR GROWTH. FACTORS AFFECTING THE DECOMPOSITION OF A CORPSE ARE DISCUSSED. THESE INCLUDE THE TEMPERATURE AND CONDITION OF THE BODY'S LOCATION AFTER DEATH, THE SEX AND PHYSIQUE OF THE BODY, AND THE TYPE OF CLOTHING. POSTDEATH INJURIES WILL ALTER THE CONDITION OF THE BODY AND OFTEN CONFUSE PATHOLOGISTS. THESE INJURIES MIGHT OCCUR FROM CARELESS HANDLING OF THE BODY, SOME KIND OF ANIMAL ACTIVITY, OR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS SEVERE HEAT. (DAG)