determining death

Cards (15)

factors used to determine death
temperature of body
degree of rigor mortis
state of decomposition
insects can be used to provide further clues
body temperature useful to identify death within 24 hours
core body temperature is measured through the rectum or abdominal slab using a thermometer
environmental conditions are noted as it can affect the body temperature
as soon as a person dies a series of chemical and physical changes happen to the body
factors that affect post mortem cooling
body size
body position
clothing
air movement
humidity
environmental temperature
rigor mortis 
stiffening of muscles
after a period of time muscle relax over time
rigor mortis sets after 1-3 hours
after death muscle cells are deprived of oxygen so respiration becomes anaerobic and produce lactic acid
pH of cells drop
no ATP, muscles become fixed
factors affecting rigor
temperature:
cold- slows rigor, warm- speeds up rigor
clothing:
clothes- speeds up rigor
sun exposure:
speeds up rigor
activity:
speeds up rigor
body weight:
obese-slows rigor
thin- speeds up rigor
decomposition
rotting or break down of tissues and organs
occurs in a predictable pattern
used to determine time of death
role of bacteria
invade tissue after death
other bacteria and fungi will quickly colonise the country
factors affecting decomposition
temperature: body decomposes faster around 21- 37 degrees
illness
age
weight
clothing
autolysis
when enzymes from digestive tract and lysosomes break down cells