Forensics Year 2: The Body After Death

The cooling of a body after death.

The stiffening of muscles after death.

Pooling of blood in dependent parts of the body after death, due to gravity.

Breakdown of tissues due to lack of oxygen and cellular activities.

Decomposition of tissues by microorganisms.

Drying out of the body, often in dry environments preventing microorganisms growth.

A waxy substance formed during decomposition, commonly in damp environments.

The time elapsed since death.

The most common causes of death globally include circulatory diseases, malignant neoplasms (cancer) and respiratory diseases.

In Ireland, the leading causes of death are circulatory diseases, malignant neoplasms (cancer) and respiratory diseases. However, the proportions may differ slightly from worldwide statistics.

Sudden cardiac death can be caused by conditions like ischemic heart disease, valve disease, pericarditis, myocarditis, cardiomyopathies, congestive cardiac failure, tumors, aneurysms, conduction system defects, and hemorrhage.

Coronary artery disease is a significant contributor to ischemic heart disease, where the arteries supplying the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked.

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart muscle doesn't receive enough blood and oxygen, often due to blockages in the coronary arteries.

These conditions can cause sudden death by disrupting blood flow or weakening the heart's ability to pump.

A narrowing of the aortic valve opening, restricting blood flow from the heart to the body.

A mitral valve that doesn't close properly, allowing blood to leak back into the heart, weakening its pumping ability.

A blood clot that travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow and reducing oxygen delivery to the body.

A collapsed lung due to air trapped in the chest cavity, putting pressure on the heart and lungs.

Autolytic postmortem process of decomposition, occurring in intrauterine deaths, caused by endogenous enzymes.

Final stage of decomposition where soft tissues are lost, leaving only the skeleton.

The study of insects and other arthropods in legal investigations.

The various species of insects, beetles, mites, and other creatures that inhabit and feed on a decomposing body.

The scientific study of insects.

The consumption or scavenging of a dead body by animals.

The location where a body is uncovered.

Blood in the pericardial sac surrounding the heart.

Sudden death caused by a heart rhythm problem, often with no identifiable cause after autopsy.

A condition where the heart muscle is abnormally thick, making it harder to pump blood.

A condition where the heart chambers are enlarged and weakened, affecting their pumping ability.

A condition where the right ventricle's muscle is replaced by fat and scar tissue, increasing the risk of irregular heartbeats.

A heart rhythm disorder that makes the heart's electrical activity longer, increasing the risk of sudden death.

A rare heart condition causing unusual patterns on an electrocardiogram (ECG), increasing the risk of sudden death.

A rare heart rhythm disorder that makes the heart beat rapidly and irregularly, triggered by stress or exercise.

Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity. It can be caused by various factors such as perforation of the stomach/ bowel, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, UC or diverticulitis), pancreatitis, trauma, and infection.

Perforation, or a hole, in the stomach or bowel is a common cause of peritonitis. This allows bacteria from the gut to leak into the abdominal cavity, leading to inflammation.

Iatrogenic peritonitis refers to cases caused by medical interventions. This can include complications from surgery, procedures, or medications.

Alcoholic cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver due to excessive alcohol consumption, can lead to peritonitis. This happens because the scarred liver cannot filter toxins properly.

Other causes of peritonitis include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), pyelonephritis (kidney infection), tumors, hemorrhage, infections, hematologic malignancies, pregnancy, and advanced age.

Sudden natural deaths can be due to a wide variety of underlying conditions affecting different organs. Cardiovascular disease is a major contributor, and genetic factors might play a role in some cases.

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in adults. It encompasses conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.

While cardiovascular disease is prominent, other factors like genetics, infections, and organ failures can also contribute to sudden natural deaths.

Cessation of cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous system functions. The body's systems shut down.

Stillbirth, congenital abnormalities, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), infection, malignancy, and accidents & homicide are common causes of sudden death in children.

Natural disease, suicide, accidents, and homicide are frequent causes of sudden death in teenagers and young adults.

Natural disease, suicide, accidents, and homicides are common causes of sudden death in adults and the elderly. Natural disease predominates.

Ischemic heart disease is a major cause of sudden cardiac death.

The post-mortem changes in the body are: Algor mortis (cooling), Livor mortis (blood pooling), Rigor mortis (stiffening) and Decomposition.

Factors that influence the rate of decomposition include: temperature, humidity, body size, coverings, systemic infection and presence of animals or insects

Adipocere is a waxy substance that forms during decomposition when fatty tissues are converted into a complex of fatty acids. It mostly occurs in damp environments but can occur in dry conditions as well.

Mummification happens when bodily tissues dry out due to a lack of moisture, often in warm and dry environments. This inhibits bacterial growth, leaving a desiccated appearance.

Decomposition is the general breakdown of tissues due to lack of oxygen and cell death whereas putrefaction is the breakdown of tissues specifically caused by the action of microorganisms.

Valve related pathologies that can lead to sudden death include aortic stenosis, floppy mitral valve, bacterial endocarditis, and ischemic rupture of a mitral valve papillary muscle.

A ruptured aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when a weakened area in the aorta, the main artery carrying blood from the heart, bursts. This is a life-threatening condition that can cause sudden death.

Central nervous system (CNS) causes of sudden death include aneurysm, cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), hemorrhage, infection, tumor, and epilepsy.

Respiratory causes of sudden death include pulmonary embolism, tension pneumothorax, airway obstruction, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tumors, hemoptysis, and infection.

Gastrointestinal/hepatobiliary causes of sudden death include hemorrhage, mesenteric thrombosis or infarction, strangulated bowel, hernias, tumors, inflammatory conditions, perforation, and cirrhosis.

Inflammation of the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Peritonitis can occur due to various factors, including perforated ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases, pancreatitis, trauma, pelvic inflammatory disease, and cirrhosis.

Peritonitis caused by medical interventions, such as surgical complications or procedures.

Alcoholic cirrhosis, a scarred liver caused by excessive alcohol consumption, can lead to peritonitis.

Besides the common causes, peritonitis can also be caused by pancreatitis, kidney infections, tumors, bleeding, infections, blood cancer, pregnancy, and old age.

Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death in adults, including heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.

While cardiovascular disease is prevalent, genetic factors, infections, and organ failure can also contribute to sudden natural deaths.

Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) is a sudden death caused by a heart rhythm problem, often with no identifiable cause after autopsy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), Long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), and progressive cardiac conduction defect (PCCD) can all cause SADS.

Sudden cardiac death in athletes is a rare but serious event usually caused by underlying heart conditions. It can happen at rest or during sporting activity.

The Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology developed guidelines for autopsy investigation of sudden cardiac death, updated in 2017. These guidelines are used to determine the cause of death and identify potential risk factors.

Sudden cardiac death can be caused by ischemic heart disease, valve disease, pericarditis, myocarditis, cardiomyopathies, congestive cardiac failure, tumors, aneurysms, conduction system defects, and hemorrhage.

Haemopericardium is blood in the pericardial sac surrounding the heart.

Hill SF & Sheppard MN's work on non-atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology's guidelines for autopsy investigation are useful references for understanding and investigating sudden cardiac death.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart muscle is abnormally thick, making it harder to pump blood.