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April 6, 2009
Definition of Death
A person is dead if: He has suffered irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions Or, he as suffered irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem Brain death: Coma and cerebral unresponsiveness, Apnea, Dilated pupils, Absent cephalic (brainstem)reflexes, Electrocerebral silence
Reversibility of Death
Dependent upon capability of tissues to recover from anoxia Resistance of organs variable
Postmortem Changes
Once dead, bodily functions cease and body begins to break down
Circulation stops, chemical composition of body fluids changes, digestion ends, natural bacteria in gut takes over, animals begin to feed on body
Happens in particular order-postmortem clock
Algor Mortis
Body cools to ambient temperature Cools at rate of 1.5o F to 2o F per hour Skin cools fastest, and isnt used in body temp determination
Body core temps used--rectum, liver, brain Rate of cooling changes with clothing, body fat, air currents, immersion in water, size
Ocular Changes
Eyes show some of the earliest postmortem changes Settling of rbcs in capillaries Thin film on cornea within 2-3 minutes, cloudiness within 2-3 hours If open, exposed areas develop tache noire (black spot)
Vitreous Potassium
Potassium levels in the eye much higher than potassium levels in the blood
Due to the sodium-potassium pump After death pump no longer works, so potassium diffuses out Known rate:
(7.14 x K+ concentration) - 39.1 = hours since death
Purplish-blue discoloration due to settling of blood by gravitational forces within capillaries May be evident as early as 20 min. after death Fixed after 8-12 hours
Livor Mortis
Rigor Mortis
Right after death, muscles flaccid
Rule of thumb: takes 12 hours to appear fully, lasts 12 hours, takes 12 hours to disappear
Variable: previous exercise, convulsions, electrocution, heat
Cadaveric Spasm
Sometimes rigor mortis hits without muscle flaccidity
Stomach Contents
Stomach empties at known rate
Decomposition
Disintegration of body tissues
During life, biochemical process preserve integrity of cellular membranes and organelles
After death, cell enzymes leak out and microorganisms no longer killed
Autolysis--self dissolution by body enzymes Putrefaction--decomposition changes produced by action of bacteria and microorganisms
Autolytic Changes
First changes occur in organs rich in enzymes
Putrefaction
Dependent upon temperature and prior health of individual
Gasses produced: methane, CO2, Hydrogen, Ammonia Environment--body exposed to air decomposes more rapidly than in water, which is more rapid than in soil 1 week in air=2 weeks in water=8 weeks in soil
Stages of Decomposition
Early decomposition begins after 24-30 hours Greenish discoloration of abdomen
Stages Cont.
Bloat--after about 3 days Dark discoloration of face Purging of fluids from nose and mouth
Marbling
Mummification
If environment dry, tissues wont decompose as readily
Skin becomes leathery, shrunken and dark Can last in this state a long, long time
Adipocere
Skeletonization
Once all soft tissue removed, only skeleton remains
Rate of skeletonization depends on climate Temperate areas: 1 1/2 years
Any Questions?