FSC239Y5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Sepsis, Bloating, High High
Why investigate death?
oProvides answers to individual families
oProvides statistical data on causes of death
oCan help (both acutely and long term) prevent additional deaths
oAids in administration of justice
Team
oPolice
oInvestigating coroner
oPathologist/Forensic pathologists
oConsultants
oForensic anthropologists, forensic dentists, etc.
oOther agencies
oEach sudden, unexpected death is assigned to an investigating coroner.
Five questions to answer:
oWho died?
oWhere did they die?
What is a forensic pathologist?
oA medical doctor with specialist certification in anatomical pathology and additional
training in forensic pathology.
oAt least 14 years of university and postgraduate training.
When do they get involved?
1. when the coroner is unable to satisfactory answer any of the five questions.
2. when there is the possibility of involvement of the criminal justice system.
Performs autopsies for two reasons:
1. Discovery
2. 2. Documentation
Cause of Death: (scientific)
othe disease, injury, or complication that directly proceeds death, and which is the
ultimate consequence of the underlying cause of death.
Underlying Cause of Death
oEtiologically specific
oHas legal implications
oSpeaks to the matter of death
oMay be elusive
oEx: die of arrhythmia
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Document Summary
Why investigate death: provides answers to individual families, provides statistical data on causes of death, can help (both acutely and long term) prevent additional deaths, aids in administration of justice. Team: police, investigating coroner, pathologist/forensic pathologists, consultants, forensic anthropologists, forensic dentists, etc, other agencies, each sudden, unexpected death is assigned to an investigating coroner. What is a forensic pathologist: a medical doctor with specialist certification in anatomical pathology and additional training in forensic pathology, at least 14 years of university and postgraduate training. When do they get involved: when the coroner is unable to satisfactory answer any of the five questions, when there is the possibility of involvement of the criminal justice system. Performs autopsies for two reasons: discovery, 2. Cause of death: (scientific: the disease, injury, or complication that directly proceeds death, and which is the ultimate consequence of the underlying cause of death.
