26 March 2008 Paper I (3 hours)

Question 1 a) List the precautions to be observed when taking a blood sample for alcohol content determination. (7) b) Discuss the blood alcohol curve including the Mellanby effect. (8) [15] Question 2 List the common post mortem artefacts, which could be confused with ante-mortem injuries. [15] Question 3 Discuss methods used to estimate the post-mortem interval in the first 48 hours after death. [15] Question 4 Briefly discuss a) The ethical and legal considerations of disclosure of the HIV status of a deceased on the BI 1663. (7) b) The purpose(s) of a judicial death inquest (in terms of the Inquest Act, Act 58 of 1959). (8) [15] Question 5

A well known Human Rights Association has hired you to assess an alleged survivor of torture. Describe your approach to the medical examination of said victim. [15] Question 6 a) b) Discuss the medical approach to the examination of a suspected case of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). (15) Describe the typical autopsy findings in a contact gunshot wound of the head caused by a handgun. (10) [25]

27 March 2008 Paper II (3 hours)

Question 1 A 35-year-old male is reported missing on Saturday morning. He was last seen driving away from work the previous evening. On Monday afternoon, his burnt car is discovered in the veld. A charred body is extricated from the remains of the vehicle and taken to the local Forensic Pathology Laboratory (state mortuary). Identify and discuss the autopsy challenges in such cases. (10) How can the pathologist determine whether the person was alive at the time of the fire? (5) [15] Question 2 Your case on the autopsy table with death register number 603/2006 is that of a female found on the roadside. She had strangulation marks of the anterior neck and signs of asphyxiation. Her pants and underpants were removed and the investigating officer, Inspector Know Better, suspects rape. Explain the 7 prescribed steps that you will follow to collect the necessary DNA evidence. [15] Question 3 a) Differentiate between a ligature mark in hanging and that seen in ligature strangulation. (5) b) Discuss briefly classical signs of ligature asphyxia seen on the face. (5) c) Write short notes on the mechanisms of death in cases of ligature strangulation. (5) [15] Question 4 Briefly discuss the following a) The Jehovahs witnesses and consent to blood transfusion. b) Cadaveric spasm. c) Venous air-embolism. Question 5 Discuss the complications of head injuries. Question 6 Discuss the macroscopic autopsy pathology associated with septic shock. [20] [20] a) b)

(5) (5) (5) [15]