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LEGAL MEDICINE
1.1C IDENTIFICATION & MEDICOLEGAL ASPECTS OF DEATH
IDENFICATION OF A DEAD PERSON IS IMPORTANT IN THE:
1. Prosecution of criminal offense
2. Facilitation of settlement of estate
3. Retirement
4. Insurance and other social benefits
5. Resolving anxiety of relatives and friends.
RULES OF IDENTIFICATION
1. The greater the number of points of similarities and dissimilarities of
two persons compared, the greater is the probability for the conclusion to
be the correct. the Law of Multiplicity of Evidence in identification.
2. The value of the different points of identification varies in the
formulation of conclusion.
Positive: fingerprints on file is the same with the dead body.
Corroborative: body marks (moles, scars, complexion, shape of
nose, etc.)
Fingerprints and Dental Records have greater value compared
with Visual recognition by relatives and friends
3. The longer the interval between death and the examination of the dead
body for identification, the greater is the need for experts in establishing
the identity.
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FINGERPRINTING
Universally used because:
There are no identical fingerprints.
The chances of two fingerprints being the same are
calculated to be 1:64 billion.
Fingerprints are not changeable.
Fingerprints are formed in the fetus in the 4th month of
pregnancy.
Fingerprints are an indelible signature which a person
carries from the cradle to the grave
PRACTICAL USES OF FINGERPRINTS
Help establish identity in cases of dead bodies and unknown or
missing persons.
Prints recovered from the crime scene associate person or
weapon.
Prints on file are useful for comparative purposes and for the
knowledge of previous criminal records.
Among illiterates, right thumbprint is recognized as a substitute
for signature on legal documents.
DENTAL IDENTIFICATION
The role of the teeth in human identification is important for the following
reasons:
1. The possibility of two persons to have the same dentition is
quite remote.
2. The enamel of the teeth is the hardest substance of the human
body.
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LEGAL MED
3.
IDENTIFICATION OF SKELETON
The following can be determined in the examination of bones:
1. Whether the remains are of human origin or not.
2. Whether the remains belong to a single person or not.
3. Height
4. Sex
KINDS OF DEATH
1. Somatic/Clinical Death- complete,persistent and continuous cessation
of the vital functions of the organ systems.
2. Molecular/cellular death
3. Apparent death/State of suspended Animation- not really death but
merely a transient loss of consciousness or temporary cessation of the
vital functions of the body .
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LEGAL MED
SIGNS OF DEATH
1. Cessation of heart action and circulation.
- There must be an entire and continuous cessation of the heart action
and flow of blood in the whole vascular system.
2. Cessation of respiration.
- Continuous and persistent
- Normally can hold breath for a period not longer than 3 1/2 minutes.
3. Cooling of the body ( Algor Mortis )
- Metabolic process ceases and no more heat is produced.
4. Insensibility of the body loss and loss of power to move.
5. Changes in the skin.
- Loss of elasticity of the skin.
- Opacity of the skin.
- Effect of application of heat
6. Changes in and about the eye.
- Loss of corneal reflexes
- Clouding of the cornea
- Flaccidity of the eyeball
- The pupil is in the position to rest
CHANGES IN THE BODY FF DEATH
1. Changes in the Muscle:
a. Stage of primary flaccidity : (post-mortem muscular irritability ).
b. Stage of post-mortem rigidity ( Cadaveric Spasm and Rigor Mortis )
c. Stage of secondary flaccidity or commencement of putrefation
- Principally due to the fact that the last voluntary contraction of muscle
during life does not stop after death but is continuous with the act of
cadaveric rigidity.
DISTINCTION BETWEEN MUSCULAR CONTRACTION VS RIGOR
MORTIS
DISTINCTION
MUSCULAR
RIGOR MORTIS
CONTRACTION
Time of appearance
3-6 hours after death
Immediately after
death
Muscles Involved
All muscles
Certain muscles
Occurrence
Natural phenomenon
May or may not
appear on the person
Significance
Approximate the time
Determine the nature
of death
of the crime
Contracted muscle
transparent or
Losses translucency
translucent
and becomes opaque
Elasticity
very
Lost
Reaction to litmus
Neutral or slight
alkaline
Acid
Muscle remaining
(+)
(-)
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LEGAL MED
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END OF TRANX
PUTREFACTION
- Is the breaking down of the complex proteins into complex
components associated with the evolution of foul smelling gasses and
accompanied by the change of color of the body.
INFLUENCE OF BACTERIA IN DECOMPOSITION
- Decomposition is due to action of bacteria in various tissues of the
body.
Early period, aerobes present, late period both aerobes and
anaerobes.
Organism that play a dominant role in decomposition is
Clostridium.
OTHER DESTRUCTIVE AGENTS DURING DECOMPOSITION
1. Maggots:
- Dependent on the accessibility of the body to adult flies.
- Have strong desire to live in damaged skin surface.
- Also observe in bodies buried in shallow graves and even in floating
decomposed bodies in water pools.
2. Reptiles:
- Lizards and snakes that are attached to dead bodies eats soft tissues.
- Small bones may be fractured in the process and may be mistaken for
injuries.
3. Rodents:
- Rats and mice will nibble the skin and other tissues and may show
unexplainable injuries.
- Bones may also be attacked and cause certain degree of erosion.
4. Molds:
- Growth cause disfigurement and minor superficial erosions of the skin.
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CAUSES OF DEATH
A. Natural death --- caused by natural disease condition.
B. Violent or sudden Death ---- termination of life which causes quickly
under circumstances when its arrival is not expected.
C. Judicial Death
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