perfformed utiliizing imagging technoology only,

primmarily magnnetic resonnance imagging (MRI) and

com mputed tom mography (C CT).
 Forensic Autoppsy - is used to determ mine the caause
L AL ME
LEGA EDICIN
NE and manner off death.
CRIMINAL
LISTICS  Anatoomy - the branch
b of sscience conncerned with the
CRIMINOL
LOGY LICE
ENSURE EX
XAM bodily structurre of humanns, animalss, and otheer
Warning: This material is protected by Copyrightt Laws. livinng organismms, especiaally as reveealed
Unautthorized used sshall be proseccuted in the fulll extent of the
Philippine Laws. Foor exclusive usee of CBRC reviewees only.
by ddissection and
a the separation off parts.
 Biochhemistry - thet branchh of sciencee concerneed with
 Abortion - is the teermination of pregnanncy by the the chemical and a physicoo-chemical processess and
removval or expullsion substances whhich occur within livinng organism ms.
from thhe uterus oof a fetus or o embryo bbefore viabbility.  Cadaaveric Spassm - also kknown as postmortem
p m
 Algor mortis
m (Latinn: algor - coldness; m mortis - deaath) spasm, instanttaneous riggor, catalepptic rigidityy, or
is the reduction instaantaneous rigidity, is a rare form m of muscuular
in body temperatture followiing death. stiffeening that occurs at tthe momennt of death,,
 Rigor mortis
m (Latinn: rigor - sttiffness, moortis - death") perssists into thhe period oof rigor morrtis and cann be
is one of the recoognizable signs s of deeath, causeed misttaken for riigor mortis. Cadaveric spasm occurs
by cheemical channges in thee muscles aafter deathh, imm mediately affter death aand is usefful to ascerrtain
causinng the limbss of the corpse to beccome stiff and a the circumstannces of deaath.
difficullt to move oor manipulate.  Cereebral Concuussion – there is a brief loss of
 Importaance Of Riggor Mortis consciousnesss and someetimes memory after ahead
- Rigor
R mortiss is utilizedd to approxximate the time
t injurry that doeesn’t cause obvious physical dam mage.
of deaath. Generaalized musscular contractions occcur  Cereebral Contuusion – theyy are bruises to the brain,b
from 3 to 6 hourss until 36 hours. usually causedd by
 Autopsyy - a post-m mortem examination to discover the a direct, strongg blow to thhe head. TheyT are more
cause of death oor the extennt of diseasse. Autopsyy is serious than
derived from the Greek word concussions.
"autoss" - oneselff and "opsiss" - sight/viiew.  Circuulatory Sysstem - also called the cardiovasccular
 Who are a authorizzed to perfform autoppsy systtem, is an organ
o system that peermits bloodd to
1. Health officers circuulate and transport
t nutrients (suuch as amino
2. Medical offficer of law w enforcem ment agencies acidds and elecctrolytes), ooxygen, carbon dioxidde,
3. Members oof the meddical staff oof accrediteed horm mones, andd blood cells to and fromf cells inn the
hospitals body to nourissh it and heelp to fight diseases,
 When Autopsy
A peerformed stabbilize body temperatuure and pH,, and to maaintain
1. Written reqquest of neearest kin to ascertainn hom meostasis.
c
cause of death  Conttempt of Coourt - any w willful disobbedience too or
2. Order of ccompetent court, mayyor, prosecutor disregard of a court ordeer or any misconduct
m in the
3. Written request of a law enforccement officcer pressence of a court actioon that interferes withh a
4. When required by sppecial law judgge's ability to adminisster justice or that insuults
5. Solgen, prrosecutor to t determinne cause of the dignity of the
t court. P Punishable by fine or
deatth imprisonment or both.
 Principaal Aim Of A An Autopsyy  Conttusion - also called a bruise, is a type of
1. To determ mine the cauuse of deatth hem matoma of tissue
t in w
which capillaaries and
2. To determ mine the staate of health of the som metimes venules are ddamaged by b trauma,
person beefore he or she died, allow wing bloodd to seep, hhemorrhage, or extravvasate
3. To determ mine whetheer any meddical diagnosis into the surrouunding interstitial tissuues.
and treatm ment beforee death waas
appropriatte.  Deatth - Compleete cessation of all caardio- pulm monary
 Types of o Autopsiees (heaart-lungs) and/or
a cesssation of brrain activityy.
1. Medico-Leegal Autopssy or Forennsic or Deaath is the teermination of all biological functions
coroneer's – autoppsies seekk to find thee cause andd thatt sustain a living organism.
manneer of death and to ideentify the deecedent. Kinds of Deatth
2. Clinical or Pathologiccal autopsies are 1. Somaticc or Clinicaal Death - permanent
p
perform med to diagnose a paarticular dissease or foor cesssation of all vital bodiily functions.
researrch purposees. 2. Molecular or Celluular Death - refers to the t
3. Anatomicaal or Acadeemic Autoppsies - are death of cells.3 to 6 hourrs after cesssation of life.
perform med by stuudents of anatomy
a forr study 3. Apparennt death orr State of Suspended
S
purposse only. Animmation - a state in whhich the proocesses off the
4. Virtual or MMedical Imaging Autoopsies - aree body (such as blood circculation) stoop or become
ARL E. B
DR. CA BALITA
A REVIE
EW CEN
NTER TE
EL. NO.. 735-40
098 -1–
 very slow for a period of time while a person
or animal is unconscious.
 Leading Causes of Death In The World
1. Ischaemic heart disease
2. Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases)
3. Lower respiratory infections
4. Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Signs Of Death
1. Cessation of heart action and circulation
2. Cessation of respiration
3. Cooling of the body (Algor Mortis) - The
temperature of
15–20 degrees Fahrenheit is considered as
ascertain sign of
death.
4. Loss of motor power
5. Loss of sensory power
6. Changes in the skin
7. Changes in and about the eye - There is loss of
corneal reflex
 Declaration of Tokyo - is a set of international
guidelines for physicians concerning torture and other
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
in relation to detention and imprisonment, which was
adopted in October 1975 during the 29th General
assembly of the World Medical Association.
 Defloration - is the laceration or rupture of the hymen
as a result of sexual intercourse.
 Dermis - the thick layer of living tissue below the
epidermis which forms the true skin, containing
blood capillaries, nerve endings, sweat glands, hair
follicles, and other structures.
 Digestive System - digestive system is a group of
organs working together to convert food into energy
and basic nutrients to feed the entire body.
 Dr. Pedro P. Solis - Philippines father of Legal
Medicine.
 Ecchymosis - a discoloration of the skin resulting from
bleeding underneath, typically caused by bruising.
 Endocrine System - refers to the collection of glands of
an organism that secrete hormones directly into
the circulatory system to be carried towards a distant
target organ.
 Epidermis - the outermost layer of the skin of a human
or other vertebrate animal.
 Euthanasia - Meaning good death ( well or good ),
Refers to the practice of ending life in a painless
manner. Deliberate intervention undertaken with the
express intention of ending life, to relieve
intractable suffering.
 Excretory System - is a passive biological system that
removes excess, unnecessary materials from an
organism, so as to help maintain homeostasis within
the organism and prevent damage to the body.
DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098
 Homeostasis -means remaining stable or remaining
the same.
 Firearm identification - used to determine whether the
gun that is subject of the investigation has the same
gun used or fired.
 Forensic Medicine - application of medical science to
elucidate legal problems.
 Forensic Science - involves the application of the
sciences to answer questions of interest to the legal
system.
 Four 4 Signs of Inflammation
1. Rubor - redness
2. Calor - heat
3. Tumor - swelling
4. Dulor – pain
 Fracture - comes from the Latin word “fractura” which
means a break in the continuity of the bone. It is also
a combination of a break in the bone and soft tissue
injury.
 Frostbite - injury to body tissues caused by exposure
to extreme cold, typically affecting the nose, fingers,
or toes and often resulting in gangrene.
 Frostnip - the initial stages of frostbite.
 Gynecology - the branch of physiology and medicine
which deals with the functions and diseases specific
to women and girls, especially those affecting the
reproductive system.
 Hematoma - is a collection of blood outside of a blood
vessel.
 Incision - a surgical cut made in skin or flesh.
 Injury - is the damage to a biological organism caused
by physical harm.
 Coup Injury - injury at the site of application of force
 Contre-Coup Injury - injury opposite the site of
application of force.
 Coup-Conre-Coup Injury - injury at the site and
opposite the site of application of force.
 Locus Minoris Resistentiae - injury not at the site and
not opposite the site of application of force but at the
site offering least resistance.
 Extensive Injury - injury on greater area more than the
site of application of force.
 Integumentary system - is the organ system that
protects the body from various kinds of damage, such
as loss of water or abrasion from outside. The system
comprises the skin and its appendages, including
hair, scales, feathers, hooves, and nails.
 Laceration - a deep cut or tear in skin or flesh. A
wound that is produced by the tearing of soft body
tissue. This type of wound is often irregular and
jagged.
 Lazarus Syndrome - is also called Lazarus
Phenomenon, is the spontaneous return of circulation
after failed attempts at resuscitation.
 Lazarus Sign - or Lazarus reflex is a reflex movement
in brain dead patients, which causes them to briefly
raise their arms and drop them crossed on their
chests.
-2–
 Legal Medicine - Branch of medicine which deals with
the application of medical knowledge to the purpose
of law and in the administration of justice. Application
of medicine to legal cases.
 Livor Mortis - is a settling of the blood in the lower
(dependent) portion of the body, causing a purplish
red discoloration of the skin. From the latin word
"livor" - bluish color and "mortis" - of death. Also
known as post-mortem lividity.
 Mayhem - intentional maiming of another person.
 Mechanical Trauma - is an injury to any portion of the
body from a blow, crush, cut, or penetrating wound.
 Medical Evidence - is the means sanctioned by the
rules of court of ascertaining in a judicial proceeding
the truth respecting a matter of fact.
 Types of Evidence
1. Real Evidence/Autoptic - made known to the
senses
2. Testimonial Evidence - oral testimony under
oath
3. Experimental Evidence
4. Documentary Evidence
 Medical Jurisprudence - knowledge of law in relation
to the practice of medicine.
 Medico-Legal officer - (medical examiner) a
physician who determines the cause of
injury/death/disease by examining the
patient/cadaver and testify in court to aid in the
administration of justice.
 Mental Deficiency – or mental retardation, is sub
average intellectual ability present from birth or
early infancy. Intelligence is both determined by
heredity and environment. In most cases of mental
deficiency, the cause is unknown.
Classification of Mental Deficiency
1. Idiot – The idiot’s intelligence never exceeds
that of a normal child over 2years old. The IQ is
between 0 – 20.This is usually congenital.
2. Imbecile – the imbecile’s intelligence is
compared to a normal
child from 2 –7 years old and the IQ is 20 –
40.
3. Feeble Minded – his mentality is similar to
that of a normal
child between 7 – 12 years old and an IQ of
40 – 70.
The Legal Importance of determining the
person’s state of mind are the following:
1. In Criminal law, insanity exempts a person
from criminal liability.
2. In Civil law, Insanity is a restriction of the
capacity of a natural person to act as provided in
Article 38 of the Civil Code.
3. Insanity modifies or limits the capacity of a
natural person to act as provided in Article 39 of the
Civil Code.
DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098
4. Insanity at the time of marriage of any or both
parties is a ground for the annulment of marriage.
 Mental Health Disorders – include disturbances
in thinking, emotion, and behavior. There is a
complex interaction between the physical,
psychological, social, cultural and hereditary
influences.
Factors that Contribute to the Development
of Mental Disorders
1. Heredity – the most frequent factor that
contributes to insanity and a good history will
reveal the ascendants afflicted with the same.
2. Incestuous Marriage – The mental illness is
accentuated when they are blood relative.
3. Impaired Vitality – Stress, tension, worry,grief
may predispose to insanity.
4. Poor Moral Training and Breeding – Corrupt
moral upbringing in the family due to immorality
of the parents.
5. Psychic Factors – Factors like love,
hate,rage, anger, passion disappointments.
6. Physical Factors
a. Non toxic factors – exhaustion resulting
from severe physical and mental strain and
traumatic injuriesto the head.
b. Toxic factors – drug addiction,infections of
the brain.
Kinds of Mental Health Disorders
1. Psychosomatic disorders – physical disorders
caused by psychological factors.
2. Somatoform disorders – encompasses several
psychiatric disorders in which people report
physical symptoms but deny
having psychiatric problems.
3. Generalized Anxiety Disorders
4. Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
5. Phobic Disorders
a. Agoraphobia
b. Specific phobias
c. Social phobia
6. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
7. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
8. Depression and Mania
9. Bipolar Disorder
10.Suicidal Behavior
11.Eating Disorders
a. Anorexia nervosa
b. Bulimia nervosa
c. Binge eating disorder
12.Personality Disorders
a. Paranoid
b. Schizoid
c. Histrionic
d. Narcissistic
e. Antisocial
f. Borderline
g. Avoidant
h. Dependent
-3–
 i. Obsessive – Compulsive a. Pyromania - from the Greek word "pyr" - fire, is
j. Passive Aggressive an impulse control disorder in which individuals
k. Dissociative repeatedly fail to resist impulses to deliberately
13.Schizophrenia – a serious mental disorder start fires in order to relieve tension or for
characterized by loss of contact with instant gratification.
reality(psychosis), hallucinations, delusions (false b. Kleptomania - is the inability to refrain from the
beliefs), abnormal thinking, disrupted work and social urge to steal items and is done for reasons other
functioning. than personal use or financial gain.
c. Dipsomania - an uncontrollable craving for
Types of Schizophrenia alcoholic
a. Paranoid - is a mental disorder characterized by liquors.
paranoia and a pervasive, long-standing d. Homicidal impulse - occurs when one person kills
suspiciousness and generalized mistrust of others. another suddenly and without premeditation or
b. Hebephrenic - it is characterized by disorganized planning.
behavior and speech, as well as disturbances in e. Sex impulse - a sudden strong and unreflective
emotional expression. urge or desire to have sex..
c. Catatonic - does not respond to external stimuli. f. Suicidal impulse - recurring thoughts of or
characterized by a marked lack of movement, preoccupation with suicide.
activity, or expression.
 Mortal Wound - capable of causing death.
14.Delusional Disorder
15.Psychological Incapacity – a waste basket  Muscular System - is an organ system
diagnosis because it is so broad a term, that it covers consisting of skeletal, smooth
all possible Mental Disorders. and cardiac muscles. It permits movement of the
body, maintains
Some Manifestations of Mental Disorders posture, and circulates blood throughout the
1. Disorders of Cognition (Knowing) body.
a. Illusion
b. Hallucination  Mutilation - or maiming is an act of physical
2. Disorders of Memory injury that degrades
a. Dementia the appearance or function of any living body.
3. Disorders in the Content of Thought
A. Delusion  Nervous System - consists of the brain, spinal
a. Delusion of grandeur cord, sensory organs,
b. Delusion of persecution and all of the nerves that connect these organs
c. Delusion of reference with the rest of the
d. Delusion of Self – Accusation body.
e. Delusion of infidelity  Obstetrics - branch of medecine that deals with
f. Nihilistic delusion pregnancy, childbirth,
g. Delusion of poverty and postpartum period, including care of the
h. Delusion of control newborn.
i. Delusion of depression  Paraffin test or Dermal Nitrate test – present on
B. Obsession the skin of the hand or site of the wound of
4. Disorders in the trend of thought entrance. This test is not conclusive because
Types a. Mania fertilizers, cosmetics, cigarettes, urine and other
b. Melancholia nitrogenous compounds with nitrates will give a
5. Disorders of Emotions or Feelings – a disorder in positive reaction.
the stat of mind, fervor, or sensibility, not in accord  A negative test is also not conclusive . The test
with reality. usually gives a
6. Disorders of volition or conation (doing) positive result even after a lapse of 3days or
 Conation - the mental faculty of purpose, desire, even if the hands
or will to perform an action; volition are subjected to ordinary washing.
Kinds of Conation 
Pathology - the science of the causes and
A. Impulsion or Impulse (Compulsion) – a
effects of diseases,especially the branch of
sudden and irresistible force compelling a person to
medicine that deals with the laboratory
the consciousperformance of some action without
examination of samples of body tissue for
motive or forethought. diagnostic or forensic purposes.
 Paulus Zacchias - (1584–1659) is the Father of
Types of Compulsion
Forensic Medicine.
DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 -4–
  Petechiae – a circumscribe extravasation of
blood in the subcutaneous
tissue.
 Physical Injury - is the effect of some stimulus
on the body.
 Physical injuries - include those caused by
mechanical trauma, heat and cold, electrical
discharges, changes in pressure, and radiation.
Mechanical trauma is an injury to any portion of
the body from a
blow, crush, cut, or penetrating wound.
 Physics - The subject matter of physics includes
mechanics, heat, light and other radiation,
sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure
of atoms.
 Physiology - the branch of biology that deals
with the normal functions of living organisms and
their parts.
 Post-Mortem - (meaning after death) internal
examination of the
dead to determine the cause of death.
 Ante-Mortem - before death.
 Post-Mortem Caloricity - is the rise of
temperature of the body after
death due to rapid and early putrefactive
changes, usually in the first two hours.
 Post Mortem Lividity - it occurs in most
extensive areas of the most dependent portions
of the body.
 Puncture Wound - is usually caused by a sharp
pointy object such as a nail, animal teeth, or a
tack. This type of wound usually does not
bleed excessively and can appear to close up.
 Putrefaction - or decomposition is the final stage
following death, produced mainly by the action
of bacterial enzymes, mostly anaerobic
organisms derived from the vowel. Other
enzymes are derived from fungi and sometimes
from insects
 Kinds of Putrefaction:
1. Mummification - is the preservation of a
body.
2. Saponification – also called Adipocere
Formation.
3. Maceration - Softening of the tissues after
death by autolysis.
 Reproductive System - or genital system is a
system of sex organs within an organism which
work together for the purpose of sexual
reproduction. Many non-living substances such
as fluids, hormones, and pheromones are also
important accessories to the reproductive
system.
 Respiratory System - (or ventilatory system) is a
biological system consisting of specific organs
and structures used for the process of
respiration in an organism. The respiratory
system is involved in the intake and exchange of
DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098
oxygen and carbon dioxide between an
organism and the environment.
 Scald - is a type of burn injury caused by hot
liquids or gases.
 Sex Crimes - generally involve illegal or coerced
sexual conduct by one person towards another.
 Chaste – An unmarried woman who has had no
carnal knowledge with men or that she never
voluntarily had unlawful sexual intercourse.
These also denotes purity of mind and
innocence of heart.
 Virgin – A woman who has had no carnal
knowledge of man. Her genital organs have not
been altered by carnal connection.
Kinds of Virginity
1. Moral virginity – the state of not knowing the
nature of sexual life and not having experience
sexual relation.
2. Physical Virginity – A condition whereby a
woman is conscious of the nature of sexual life
but has not experienced sexual intercourse.
3. Demi–virginity – This term refers to a
condition of a woman who permits any form of
sexual liberties as long as they abstain from
rupturing the hymen bysexual act. The woman
allows sexual intercourse, but only inter femora
or even inter labia, but not to the extent of
rupturing the hymen.
4. Virgo intacta – A truly virgin woman. There is
nostructural change in her organ, not
withstanding the fact of a previous sexual
intercourse.
 Carnal Knowledge - is the act of a man in having
sexual bodily connection with a woman. There is
carnal knowledge if there is the slightest
penetration in the sexual organ of the female
by the sexual organ of the male.
 Shrapnel - fragments of a bomb, shell, or other
object thrown out by an explosion.
 Skeletal System - gives the body its basic
framework, providing structure, protection, and
movement.
 Subpoena - order issued by the court to a
person to appear in court.
 Subpoena ad Testificandum´- is a court
summons to appear and give oral testimony for
use at a hearing or trial.
 Surgery - is an ancient medical specialty that
uses operative manual and instrumental
techniques on a patient to investigate and/or
treat a pathological condition such as disease or
injury, to help improve bodily function or
appearance or to repair unwanted ruptured
areas.
 Topinard and Rolet - two french anatomist who
devised a formula for
-5–
 the determination of the height for male and 9. Gunshot Wound (GSW) - (Ballistic Trauma)
female. is a form of physical trauma sustained from the
 Toxicology - the branch of science concerned discharge of arms or munitions.
with the nature, effects, and detection of
poisons.  Barotrauma - wound/injury caused by a change in
 Trauma - injury, a physical wound to the body atmospheric pressure.
caused by an external source.  Defense Wound - or self-defense wound is an injury
 Virginity - A condition of a female who has not received bythe victim of an attack while trying to
experience sexual intercourse and whose defend against theassailant. often found on the hands
genital organs have not been altered by carnal and forearms, where thevictim has raised them to
connection and whose hymen is still intact. protect the head and face or to fendoff an assault, but
 Virgo Intacta - literally the term refers to a truly may also be present on the feet and legs where a
virgin woman; that there are structural changes victim attempts defense while lying down and kicking
in her organ to infer previous sexual intercourse out at the assailant.
and that she is a virtuous woman.
 Virtuous Female - If her body is pure and if she
has never had any sexual intercourse with
another though her mind and heart is impure.
 Vital Reaction - the response of living body
tissues to injury.
 Wound - in legal medicine,it means strictly a
solution of continuity.
 An injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow,
or other impact, typically one in which the skin is
cut or broken.
 Open Wound - there is a break in the continuity
of the skin.
1. Abrasion - a wound consisting of superficial
damage to the skin. Scratch, friction mark.
2. Bruise - is a common skin injury that results
from the breakage of tiny blood vessels leaking
under the skin. Blood from damaged blood
vessels beneath the skin collects near the
surface of the skin to appear as what we
recognize as a black and blue mark. Cause by a
blunt injury to the tissues which damage blood
vessels beneath the surface, allowing blood to
extravasate or leak into the surrounding tissues.
3. Incised Wound - caused by a clean, sharp-
edged object such
as a knife, razor, or glass splinter.
4. Stab Wound - is a specific form of
penetrating trauma to the skin that results from
a knife or a similar pointed object that is "deeper
than it is wide".
5. Punctured Wound - is a deep wound caused
by something sharp and pointed, like a nail. The
opening on the skin is small, and the puncture
wound may not bleed much. Puncture
wounds can easily become infected.
6. Perforating Wound - a wound with an
entrance and exit opening.
7. Lacerated Wound - that occurs when skin,
tissue, and/or muscle is torn or cut open.
Lacerations may be deep or
shallow, long or short, and wide or narrow. Most
lacerations are the result of the skin hitting an
object, or an object hitting the skin with force.
8. Bite - is a wound received from the teeth of
an animal, including humans.
DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 -6–