Forensic Pathology Report

Group Member #1:

Emane Henderson

Group Member #2:
Cristina De Almeida Amaral

Case File (example, HTH-12):
HTH-2

I. Cause of Death

What was the cause of death?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome/ petechial thymus hemorrhaging.

What pieces of evidence (from the report or the internet) do you have?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is defined as the sudden death of an infant that was not
predicted by history . It is not widely understood to date. However, it is the leading cause of
death for infants age 1 month to 1 year, claiming 2,500 lives per year in the United States.

According to the Archives of Disease in Childhood, Infants classified as dying from SIDS are
most often normally nourished and hydrated. The nappies are usually wet and contain stool, and
the bladder and rectum are typically empty. In the autopsy report, the infant was not
malnutritioned, and her diaper was soiled with urine and a minimal amount of green-brown
fecal matter, and the bladder [contained] less than 1 ml of clear, yellow urine.

In a study on SIDS in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, 5 out of 10 infants who died unexpectedly were
found with hemorrhaging in the thymus.

Under the Hemolymphatic System section of the Pathology report, the thymus is described to
have scattered anterior thymic petechial hemorrhages. 87% of petechial thymus hemorrhages
are seen in SIDS cases. Petechial haemorrhages are much denser (bigger amounts in the area) in
SIDS deaths than in non-SIDS deaths, which can be different sizes and randomly scattered.



II. Mechanism of Death
What was the mechanism of death?
Suffocation

What pieces of evidence (from the report or the internet) do you have?

There are many cases that argue that SIDS is correlated with the sleeping position of the infant at
the time of death, however, according to PubMed, the US National Library of Medicine,
Neither age nor the facedown position was associated with greater severity of thymic
petechiae. Petechiae of the thymus in cases of SIDS dont have a direct correlation with
resuscitation attempts, which would usually show only on the outer layer of the thymus. The
autopsy report showed that the infants airways werent obstructed and there was no
hemorrhaging on the lungs. So, its unlikely that the infant was smothered to death. A possibility
is that the infant was exposed to toxins or bacteria that were absorbed and processed by the
lymphatic system. the toxin or bacteria would be taken to organs like the heart, lungs, and
thymus. This could disturb the process of these organs.



III. Manner of Death
What was the manner of death?
Natural

What pieces of evidence (from the report or the internet) do you have?

Death by natural causes is not expected. It isnt from an accident, homicide, suicide, or
natural disaster. A disease that has progressed and caused organ failure is usually the root of
natural cause. It is also one that is not preventable.
Death by Natural Causes Explained. (n.d.).NursingLink. Retrieved September 19,
2014, from http://nursinglink.monster.com/benefits/articles/117-death-by-
natural-causes-explained


Death was natural due to hemorrhages on the thymus, which is one of the leading causes
of SIDS
Rechtsmed, Z. (n.d.). Abstract .Resuscitation measures and petechial thymus
hemorrhages in sudden infant death. Retrieved September 19, 2014, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2309


IV. In 1-2 paragraphs, describe your overall opinion using evidence about how the
individual in your case file died.


After researching, I think that the infant was exposed to bacteria at her daycare that caused the
thymus to hemorrhage. The lymphatic system carried a toxin through the body, affecting the
heart, lungs, and thymus. In this process, the thymus developed consistent, uniform
hemorrhaging. This then caused the release of white blood cells/ bone marrow cells into the
lungs, naturally suffocating her. There are no hemorrhages on the lungs and the airways were not
restricted at the time of death.


V. References - share your vocabulary list with appropriate links with me

Decedent: the person who has died

Decedent. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/decedent

Cyanotic: bluish or purplish coloration of the skin due to lack of oygen in the blood.
Cyanotic. (2012). Medterms. Retrieved from
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=23457

Thymus: gland behind the sternum in between your lungs. stimulates the production of disease-
fighting T-cells during childhood. It slowly begins to be replaced by fat.
Sargis, R. M. (2014). An Overview of the Thymus. - The Gland that Protects You Long after It's
Gone. Retrieved from http://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-thymus

Lymphocytes: white blood cells
lymphocyte. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster. Retrieved September 19, 2014, from
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lymphocyte

T-cell: a type of white blood cell that is important to the immune system, which mature in the
thymus.
T cell. (2013). Medterms. Retrieved September 19, 2014, from
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11300

B-Cells: a type of blood cell (specifically a lymphocyte) that is important to the immune system,
and mature in the bone marrow.

B cell. (2013). Medterms. Retrieved from
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2413

Pulmonary Emphysema: when the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs are damaged. Deprives the lungs
of the oxygen it needs.
Pulmonary Emphysema. (n.d.). Pulmonary Emphysema. Retrieved from
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/lung_diseases/lung/emphysema/Pag
es/index.aspx

Antigen: a body that, when introduced into the body triggers defense (stimulates the immune
system). Self-antigens are usually tolerated by the body, while non-self antigens are considered
intruders.

Antigen: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (2014). U.S National Library of Medicine.
Retrieved September 19, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/a





Works Cited

Beckwtih, J. (n.d.). Intrathoracic petechial hemorrhages: a clue to the mechanism of death in
sudden infant death syndrome?.National Center for Biotechnology Information.
Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3048177

Goldwater, P. N. (n.d.). Sudden infant death syndrome: a critical review of approaches to
research. Sudden infant death syndrome: a critical review of approaches to research.
Retrieved from http://adc.bmj.com/content/88/12/1095.full

Griest, K. (n.d.). Pediatric Homicide.Google Books. Retrieved from
http://books.google.com/books?id=EFSksdyaKSsC&pg=PA58&lpg=PA58&dq=petechia
l+hemorrhaging+thymus+symptoms&source=bl&ots=z2xOU-ptQw&sig=RO2vn5Lbf-
TUMnxbnJ0xSQrHDHY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=_asbVPO8LYfaoASK7YCQDQ&ved=0CF
MQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=petechial%20hemorrhaging%20thymus%20symptoms&f=
false

Krous, H., & Nadeau, J., et al. (2001). Intrathoracic petechiae in sudden infant death syndrome:
relationship to face position when found.. National Center for Biotechnology
Information. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11178632

Risse, M., & Weiler, G. (n.d.). [Comparative histologic studies of the origin of petechial thymus
hemorrhage].National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29229

Risse, M., & Weiler, G. (n.d.). [Resuscitation measures and petechial thymus hemorrhages in
sudden infant death].. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2309530