REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES o Well-developed, well-
NATIONAL BUREAU OF nourished male.
INVESTIGATION o Rigor mortis present upon
MEDICO-LEGAL DIVISION examination.
AUTOPSY REPORT o Livor mortis noted at
posterior side of the body.
Case Number: 2024-0483 o No visible signs of
Date of Autopsy: February 19, 2024 decomposition.
Name of Deceased: Ortiz, Niel Adrian P. Identification Marks:
Age/Sex: 23 / Male o No tattoos or scars noted.
Civil Status: Single o No other distinguishing
Date of Birth: February 14,1999 features.
Place of Birth: Laoang, Northern Samar Clothing/Personal Items:
Address: Brgy. Baybay, Laoang, Northern o White shirt and black pants,
Samar heavily stained with blood.
Date and Time of Death: February 15, o No footwear noted.
2025, 1:45 AM o No personal items found on
Place of Death: Shepherds Northern the body.
Samar Provincial Hospital, Catarman, External Injuries:
Northern Samar o Multiple stab and hack
wounds concentrated on the
CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH chest and neck.
o Deep, penetrating wounds
History of the Incident: consistent with a sharp-
On February 15, 2025, at edged weapon (bolo).
approximately 1:45 AM, the o No defensive wounds noted
on the hands or arms,
deceased was brought to Shepherds
suggesting no attempt to
Northern Samar Provincial resist the attack.
Hospital after sustaining multiple
stab and hack wounds. Initial INTERNAL EXAMINATION
reports from authorities indicate
that the injuries were inflicted with External Examination of Organs:
a bolo. The victim was pronounced o Heart: Penetrating injuries
dead on arrival. to the myocardium and
pericardium.
Witness Statements:
o Lungs: Laceration and
Statements from responding
officers and medical personnel collapse due to sharp-force
indicate that the victim sustained trauma.
o Liver: Intact with no signs
severe trauma to the chest and
neck. No reports of struggle or self- of injury.
o Kidneys: Normal
defense were noted.
appearance, no
abnormalities noted.
EXTERNAL EXAMINATION
o Brain: No cranial fractures
or intracranial hemorrhage
General Description of the Body:
noted.
o Height: 159 in centimeters.
o Stomach: No significant
o Weight: 60 in kg.
findings.
Internal Injuries/Trauma: Signed:
o Penetrating trauma to the
chest wall, resulting in
massive hemorrhage. PADULLA, SHEENA MARIE, MD, JD,
o Laceration of the carotid FCLM
artery and jugular vein in Medical Examiner
the neck, causing rapid PRC License No.: 22889 93
blood loss. PTR No.: 5927943
o Fracture of the left third rib Date: February 19, 2024
due to penetrating force.
In a court of law, both a **death
CAUSE OF DEATH certificate** and an **autopsy** report
can be used as evidence, but they serve
Primary Cause of Death: different purposes and have different
Hypovolemic Shock due to levels of weight depending on the
Massive Blood Loss from Sharp- situation.
Force Injuries.
Contributing Factors: 1. **Death Certificate**:
Massive trauma to the chest and - **Purpose in Court**: A death
neck caused by penetrating sharp- certificate is a formal, legal document that
force injuries. verifies that someone has died. It is often
Manner of Death: used to establish the fact of death and may
Homicide be used in cases where the cause of death
is not in dispute or is relatively
FORENSIC CONCLUSIONS straightforward.
- **Weight in Court**: While a death
Summary of Findings: certificate is legally significant, it typically
The pattern and severity of the does not carry as much weight when it
wounds are consistent with comes to determining the cause of death,
intentional and forceful infliction especially in cases where the cause is
using a sharp-edged weapon. The unclear, suspicious, or contested. It is
concentration of injuries in the generally seen as a starting point or a
chest and neck area indicates an secondary piece of evidence.
intent to kill. The absence of
defensive wounds suggests that the 2. **Autopsy Report**:
victim was either incapacitated or - **Purpose in Court**: An autopsy
caught off guard. report is more detailed and can provide
specific information about how and why
the person died, including any signs of
trauma, poisoning, or disease. It can
provide critical information in criminal
CERTIFICATION
cases (such as murder or manslaughter) or
in cases of disputed cause of death.
I, Dr. Sheena Marie Padulla, MD, JD,
- **Weight in Court**: An autopsy
FCLM, a licensed forensic pathologist,
report typically carries **more weight**
have conducted this autopsy on the body
in court, especially when the cause of
of Niel Adrian P. Ortiz in accordance
death is contested. Since the autopsy is
with established procedures. The above
performed by a forensic pathologist, it is
findings and conclusions are based on my
considered expert testimony and is often
examination.
seen as more reliable and thorough than
the death certificate. If there is any - **Usage**: The death certificate is
suspicion of foul play or if the cause of typically used for legal, administrative,
death is unclear, the autopsy report will and insurance purposes. It remains valid as
likely be given significant weight by the long as it is needed for those purposes.
court.
2. **Autopsy Report**:
### In Summary: - **Validity**: Like the death
- **Death certificate**: Confirms the fact certificate, the autopsy report is a
of death and may outline the cause of permanent document. There is no
death but is less detailed. expiration date, but its relevance may
- **Autopsy report**: Provides a thorough change depending on the case (for
examination and can be critical for example, in criminal investigations or
determining the cause of death, especially court cases). The findings remain valid
in cases involving foul play or uncertainty. unless new evidence or new expert
testimony contradicts the original report.
Therefore, the **autopsy report** usually - **Usage**: An autopsy report is used
holds more weight in a courtroom, primarily for medical, legal, and forensic
particularly when the cause of death is purposes, such as determining the cause of
under dispute or when a more detailed death or in criminal investigations.
analysis of the circumstances is required.
Both documents retain their validity
Yes, an **autopsy report** is generally indefinitely, although an autopsy report
reliable because it is conducted by a may be reevaluated in light of new
**forensic pathologist** following strict evidence.
protocols and scientific methods. Its
reliability can be proven in court through
the pathologist’s **qualifications**,
adherence to **established procedures**,
and **corroboration with other evidence**
(e.g., toxicology reports, crime scene
analysis). The pathologist can testify to
their expertise, the rigor of the process,
and the consistency of their findings,
which enhances the report’s credibility.
In the Philippines, there isn't a specific
"expiration" or "validity period" for an
**autopsy report** or a **death
certificate**. However, they serve
different purposes and are used at different
times depending on the situation:
1. **Death Certificate**:
- **Validity**: A death certificate is a
permanent official record that certifies the
fact of death. It does not expire, but it may
be required to be updated if the cause of
death is later amended (e.g., if an autopsy
shows a different cause of death than
initially listed).
