Forensic Pathology Concepts Quiz

Forensic Pathology

• Rigor mortis refers to the stiffening of muscles after death due to the depletion of ATP.

Autopsy and Investigation

• A relative of the deceased cannot refuse an autopsy in case of possible murder.
• The best period to perform post-mortem investigation is 1-3 days after the incident.
• Suicides require forensic investigation.

Diagnosis in Forensic Medicine

• A proper diagnosis in forensic medicine requires autopsy, medical history, collaboration with law enforcement, witnesses, and available documents.

Body Cooling

• The body cools down at a rate of 1,5 degrees per hour after death.
• Body temperature post-mortem is measured in the rectum.

Specimens in Forensic Medicine

• Hair and finger nails are valuable specimens in forensic medicine.

Drug Use Diagnosis

• Toxicology testing is used to diagnose drug use post-mortem.
• Dental examination is not typically used to diagnose drug use post mortem.

Rigor Mortis and Livor Mortis

• Rigor mortis is characterized by rigidity of the body.
• Livor mortis (post-mortem lividity) is the settling of blood in the lower parts of the body due to gravity after death.

Post-Mortem Signs

• Late post-mortem signs include livor mortis, autolysis, rigor mortis, algor mortis, and putrefaction.
• Early post-mortem signs include rigor mortis, livor mortis, and algor mortis.

Medical Commission and Brain Death

• A medical commission requires two anesthesiologists, a resuscitator, and one doctor from specialties including pediatrician, neurologist, neurosurgeon, neonatologist to confirm brain death.

Forensic Toxicology

• Hair is a commonly analyzed biological sample to detect the presence of drugs or poisons in forensic toxicology.
• Aqueous humor sample can be collected for toxicology only when the body is “fresh”.

Forensic Investigations

• Forensic odontology is the examination of physical injuries to determine the nature and extent of trauma.
• Post-mortem marbling results from the accumulation of gases in the skin tissues, manifesting as a purple tennis racket-like pattern.