Anatomy

To be a good Detective, one must be able to know the anatomy of victims.

Confirming Death:

1. Lack of Pulse: no pulse at carotid artery = immediate time frame

2. No Respiration: no breath sounds/chest movement = immediate time frame

3. Fixed/Dilated Pupils: unresponsive to light = within 1-2 minutes of death

4. No heart Sounds: confirmed with stethoscope = immediate time frame

Early Post-Mortem Changes:

1. Algor Mortis: body cooling, drops 1.5 degrees F per hour = 30 minutes to 1 hour

2. Livor Mortis: pooling of blood, purplish discoloration = 20-30 minutes

3. Rigor Mortis: stiffening of muscles, calcium ion build-up = starts 2-4 hours and is full 12-24 hours

4. Pallor Mortis: pale skin due to lack of circulation = 15-30 minutes

Mid to Late Post Mortem Changes:

1. Decomposition: bloating, skin slippage, odor = 24-72 hours

2. Marbling: veins become green-black = 3-5 days

3. Mummification: dry climate causes desiccation of tissues = weeks to months

4. Adipocere: "grave wax" formation in moist conditions = few weeks in water

Field Indicators of Trauma or Cause of Death:

1. Petechial Hemorrhage: red spots in eyes = strangulation or asphyxiation

2. Defensive Wounds: cuts on palms or forearms = attack with sharp objects

3. Blunt Force Trauma: bruising, skull fractures, brain swelling = bludgeoning

4. Lividity Patterns: odd blood pooling = body moved after death

5. Gunpowder Residue: on hands or wound edges = point-blank gunshot wounds

6. Stippling: pinpoint abrasions around bullet wounds = close-range gunshot wounds

7. Broken Hyoid Bone: found via autopsy = manual strangulation

8. Brain Trauma: 1 eye dilated and the other contracted = severed brain trauma or damage