🎧 New: AI-Generated Podcasts Turn your study notes into engaging audio conversations. Learn more

Post-Mortem Changes in Forensic Science
10 Questions
3 Views

Post-Mortem Changes in Forensic Science

Created by
@GratefulNebula

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of the pallor of the optic disc in post-mortem changes of the eyes?

  • Drop in intra-ocular pressure
  • Accumulation of cellular debris
  • Segmentation of retinal vessels
  • Loss of blood pressure (correct)
  • What is the normal range of intra-ocular pressure?

  • 20-30 mm Hg
  • 5-10 mm Hg
  • 10-20 mm Hg (correct)
  • 15-25 mm Hg
  • What is thename of the brownish black discoloration that occurs on the sclera when the eyes remain open for a few hours?

  • Taches Noires (correct)
  • Retinal segmentation
  • Corneal opacity
  • Optic disc pallor
  • What is the relaxed neutral position of the papillary muscle in post-mortem changes of the eyes?

    <p>Midsized dilate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the reason why wounds will not gape on the skin after death?

    <p>Loss of elasticity of the skin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason for the body to lose heat after death?

    <p>Stoppage of oxidative processes and metabolism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors affects the rate of cooling in a dead body?

    <p>Cause of death, with rapid cooling in severe hemorrhage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of post-mortem caloricity in estimating the time of death?

    <p>It slows down the rate of cooling, making it difficult to estimate the time of death</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the rate of cooling in a dead body, on average?

    <p>1-1.5°C/hour</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do infants cool more rapidly than adults?

    <p>Due to their large surface area/body mass ratio and scanty subcutaneous fat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Post-Mortem Changes

    • Post-mortem changes occur in the body after death due to cessation of vital functions.
    • Classification of post-mortem changes:
      • Immediate changes
      • Early changes
      • Late changes

    Immediate Changes

    • Insensibility
    • Respiratory arrest
    • Circulatory arrest

    Early Changes

    • Eye changes:
      • Loss of corneal and light reflexes immediately after death
      • Pallor of the optic disc
      • Segmentation of retinal vessels ("trucking") within 15 minutes of death
    • Skin changes:
      • Skin becomes pale due to stoppage of circulation and drainage of blood from capillaries and small vessels
      • Skin loses its elasticity

    Post-Mortem Cooling (Algor Mortis)

    • Definition: Gradual decrease in body temperature due to stoppage of heat production while heat loss continues
    • Mechanism:
      • Heat production stops due to stoppage of oxidative processes and metabolism
      • Heat loss continues through conduction, convection, and radiation
    • Cooling continues until body temperature equals that of the surroundings
    • Factors affecting the rate of cooling:
      • Age: Infants cool more rapidly due to large surface area/body mass ratio and scanty subcutaneous fat
      • Female and obese individuals: Cool much slower due to more subcutaneous fat acting as heat insulator
      • Surrounding environment: Bodies in well-ventilated rooms cool faster than in closed rooms; bodies in water cool 2 times faster than bodies in air
      • Cause of death: Rate of cooling is rapid in severe hemorrhage and wasting disease, while slow in post-mortem caloricity

    Post-Mortem Caloricity (Heating)

    • Definition: Conditions in which the body heat increases 2-3°C then cools as usual
    • Occurs with:
      • Sunstroke and pontine hemorrhage (heat regulation is profoundly disturbed before death)
      • Strychnine poisoning and tetanus (great increase in heat production by muscle contractions)
      • Acute bacterial or viral infection (pneumonia, typhoid, or encephalitis)
      • Intense asphyxial conditions (extensive muscle contractions)

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    This quiz covers the different changes that occur in the body after death, including immediate, early, and late changes. Topics include insensibility, respiratory arrest, circulatory arrest, and changes to the eyes, skin, and muscles.

    More Quizzes Like This

    Forensic Pathology
    3 questions

    Forensic Pathology

    LucrativeToucan avatar
    LucrativeToucan
    Post-Mortem Changes
    0 questions

    Post-Mortem Changes

    FunnyPointOfView avatar
    FunnyPointOfView
    Forensic Science: Post-Mortem Changes
    50 questions
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser