Forensics

Part 1 Directions: Watch the Postmortem Video. Then, answer the questions below.

During the video:

1. Who is the leading forensic pathologist highlighted in the film?
2. About how many Americans/persons die in the United States every year?
3. Who was the forensic pathologist assigned to perform the autopsy of the woman in Sonoma County?
4. What were Dr. Gil’s findings from the autopsy?
5. What did investigators discover about Dr. Gil’s past and ‘career’ as a medical examiner?
6. Whowas found guilty of what in the case of Dr. Gil?
7. What was discovered by the nationwide investigation conducted by Frontline?
8. Why does the death investigation process vary so much from state to state?
9. Describe the details of the case that put Coroner Brown in the national spotlight and why.
10. What is the new requirement to being a coroner?
11. Describe the case of Adolf Archie.
12. Describe the case of Cayne Miceli.
13. Who is Dr. McGarry and why is he of relevant concern?
14. What type of deaths is least likely to be investigated? Why? Why is this of major concern?
15. Describe the case of MrKittower and the results of his autopsy.
16. Why is competent death investigation important to both the living and the dead?

After the video:

1. What seems to be the biggest problem or downfall of forensic investigations and what can be done to improve the situation?
2. What are the other major issues that are faced by the medicolegal death investigation system and would it take for reform to occur?
3. Aside from catching criminals, what does competent death investigation have the ability to do?

Part 2 Directions: Using the figure below, fill in the blank with the correct anatomical direction.

1. The sternum is __________________ to the vertebral column.
2. The radius is __________________ to the ulna.
3. The tibia is __________________ to the fibula.
4. The hyoid is __________ to the mandible but __________ to the manubrium.

Part 3 Directions:Using critical thinking, course notes, PowerPoints, and course content, answer the following situational problems.

1. During autopsy, you take a sample of liquid within a decedent’s lungs. You place the specimen under a microscope. When you do this, you see the object below. What is it? What is its significance to your investigation? Provide your answer in the box provided.

2. On a crime scene, you notice the injury below. Describe it in its location, distribution and pattern, color, and type of injury. Be as specific as possible.Provide your answer in the box provided.

3. On a crime scene, you notice the injury below. Describe it in its location, distribution and pattern, color, and type of injury. Be as specific as possible.Provide your answer in the box provided.

4. On a crime scene, you notice the stage of death below. Identify the stage and describe your observations in location and pattern. What is the significance of this in your investigation? Be as specific as possible. Provide your answer in the box provided.

5. On a crime scene, you notice the bones below. Identify which bones are present in the image, identify the trauma you see, and indicate whether this occurred in the antemortem, perimortem, or postmortem interval. Justify your reasoning. Be as specific as possible. Provide your answer in the box provided.