The Murder Scene: Death & Autopsies

October 27, 2009

Do Now: List what you KNOW about autopsies

(if you’re stuck, first think, what does the word mean?… go on from there! Think about the shows that you’ve seen)

List what you WANT to know about autopsies

Aim: What do crime scene investigators do with dead bodies? Agenda:

Do now CSI clip Powerpoint! Interactive autopsy…

Let’s learn some creepy stuff this week in honor of Halloween!

CSI clip Episode 402 - “Assume Nothing” Remember last time we took notes…? That was BEFORE we learned about the

steps a CSI takes at a crime scene. Now, take notes and ESPECIALLY take

note of which parts are with which step. LASTLY - focus on the autopsy clip

The dead body Unfortunately, the most important piece

of evidence at many crime scenes

$$ If I had a dollar for every time someone has

asked me which crime unit corpses were processed in…

Who examines the body? If foul play suspected, FORENSIC

PATHOLOGISTS, often with help of forensic anthropologists and forensic entomologists.

Forensic pathology- the study of medicine as it relates to the application of law, especially criminal law.

Who examines the body? Forensic anthropology-concerned with the

identification and examination of human skeletal remains.

Forensic entomology -study of insects and their relation to a criminal investigation

Role of Forensic Pathologists Medical Examiners or Coroners

What’s the diff? ME are doctors Coroners are elected officials, must live in

community

Must answer several basic questions

Role of Forensic Pathologists Must answer several basic questions:

Who is the victim? What injuries are present? When did the injuries occur? Why and how were the injuries made?

Main Role: Determining cause of death

How do they determine cause of death? Determination of cause of death via

observation? OR an autopsy is performed to determine

cause of death

Cause of death Five categories

Natural Homicide Suicide Accident undetermined

If cause of death is suspicious… Must perform an autopsy Autopsy- the medical dissection and

examination of a body in order to determine the cause of death

Ex: (DON’T WRITE) a decedent with with a gun shot would on his hand LOOKS like he committed suicide… however, upon further exams, suffocation was the actual cause of death.

Lets do some vocab. Decedent- a person who has died Suffocation- to kill or destroy by preventing

access to Oxygen.

Aim: How are autopsies performed?

Agenda Virtual Autopsy Stations (to be completed tomorrow)

Interactive Autopsy Dr. Baden - a Forensic Pathologist Very famous - “detective of death” Show on HBO that explores high profile

cases. I’m going to see how we might be able to tie this

into class :D http://www.hbo.com/autopsy/swf/

casebook2/casebook2.html

Autopsy Stations Three Stations

Medical Examiner / Coroner & Experience Internal Examination External Examination

YOUR TASK: Take notes on each. Don’t write on paper! Write 3 Quiz Questions on your station.

HW: How to perform an autopsy Remember the ‘How to’ assignment? Make a list in order of how to perform an

autopsy. Ex – your first step should take place at the

crime scene

How to perform an autopsy The point of this assignment is to

SYNTHESIZE the information from the presention, virtual autopsy, & stations.

You must include information from all three pieces.

What did you LEARN Stop and jot what you learned today - you

should have btw 3 and 5 bullet points! Important! I’m checking this.