Difference between revisions of "Forensic pathology"

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==Death-related changes==
==Death-related changes==
===Rigor mortis===
===Rigor mortis===
Def'n: muscle rigidity following death (caused by depletion of ATP).
Definition:  
*Muscle rigidity following death (caused by depletion of ATP).


Dependent on:
Dependent on:
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*May never develop!
*May never develop!


Summary:
It is the explanation for post-mortem goose bumps.
Its onset & presence is '''highly variable'''.


====Summary====
*Its onset & presence is ''highly variable''.
*Forensic pathologists do '''not''' comment on time of death, as the above times are subject to such a large degree of variability, i.e. the estimates are essentially useless.
====Time estimates====
A crude guess for time of death based on rigor:<ref name=Ref_KFP61>{{Ref KFP|61}}</ref>
A crude guess for time of death based on rigor:<ref name=Ref_KFP61>{{Ref KFP|61}}</ref>
*Warm & flaccid <3 h.
*Warm & flaccid <3 h.
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Notes:
Notes:
*Memory device: '''3s''': cut points are at ''3 hours'', ''1/3 of a day'', ''3/2 of a day.''
*Memory device: '''3s''': cut points are at ''3 hours'', ''1/3 of a day'', ''3/2 of a day.''
*Forensic pathologists do '''not''' comment on time of death, as the above times are subject to such a large degree of variability, i.e. the estimates are essentially useless.
===Livor mortis===
===Livor mortis===
Def'n: pooling of blood in the dependent position, due to blood stasis.   
Definition: pooling of blood in the dependent position, due to blood stasis.   
*Onset may preceed death in the context of congestive heart failure.
*Onset may preceed death in the context of congestive heart failure.
*If pressure is applied to a dependent area-- no blood can enter there; thus, a pressure area is blanched (i.e. white).
*If pressure is applied to a dependent area-- no blood can enter there; thus, a pressure area is blanched (i.e. white).
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