Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 02/28/06
AJS223 20064-99999	LEC	3 Credit(s)	3 Period(s)
Forensic Pathology: Death Investigation
An examination of the medical investigation of sudden, unnatural, unexplained or violent deaths. Explains the legal and medical roles of death investigators and medical examiners. Additional topics include the autopsy, documenting and evaluating the body, routine and special investigative techniques, and death event reconstruction. Prerequisites: None.
Cross-References: FOR223

Go to Competencies    Go to Outline
 

MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
AJS223   20064-99999	Forensic Pathology: Death Investigation

1.	Differentiate between the coroner and medical examiner systems. (I)
2.	Explain the difference between cause, manner, and mechanism of death. (I)
3.	Estimate time of death using various measures of post-mortem interval. (II)
4.	Explain the ways forensic anthropology, forensic odontology, forensic serology, and forensic DNA analysis are used to identify human remains. (III)
5.	Describe the components and procedures used in the forensic autopsy and the relationship between the autopsy and the criminal justice process. (IV)
6.	Identify the major components of a properly prepared autopsy report and the findings that should be in each section. (IV)
7.	Define forensic toxicology and identify the ways in which it contributes to the forensic autopsy and the criminal justice process. (V)
8.	Describe, identify, and differentiate the major types of blunt force trauma. (VI, VII)
9.	Describe, identify, and differentiate the major types of sharp force injuries. (VIII)
10.	Describe and identify wounds due to gunfire. (IX)
11.	Describe, identify, and differentiate the major types of deaths due to asphyxiation and drowning. (X)
12.	Describe, identify and differentiate deaths due to fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and electrocution. (XI)
13.	Describe and differentiate the major types of natural deaths. (XII)

Go to Description    Go to top of Competencies
 

MCCCD Official Course Outline:
AJS223   20064-99999	Forensic Pathology: Death Investigation

I. Introduction to the Course A. Overview of medico-legal investigative systems B. History of forensic pathology and related laboratory systems C. Medical-legal categories of death D. Cause, mechanism and manner of death II. Determining Time of Death A. Defining death B. Embalmment and changes it causes and masks C. Livor mortis D. Rigor mortis E. Algor mortis F. Examination of stomach contents G. Forensic entomology III. Identification of Human Remains A. Chain of custody for evidence at crime scene B. Fingerprint and fingernail comparisons C. Visual identifications 1. Gross visual identifications 2. Forensic art and composite sketches 3. Facial reconstruction D. Forensic odontology: dental records and bite mark evidence E. Skeletal examinations: Forensic radiology and basic forensic anthropology F. Hair analysis G. Forensic serology H. Forensic DNA analysis IV. Procedures at Autopsies and the Autopsy Report A. The forensic vs. the medical autopsy B. Examination at the scene C. Examination of clothing D. Tools and procedures of the forensic autopsy E. Details of the external examination F. Details of the internal examination G. The properly prepared autopsy report V. Forensic Toxicology and Its Role in Medico-Legal Investigations of Death A. Sub-fields of pharmacology and toxicology B. Classification systems for drugs C. Basic pharmacokinetics D. Basic pharmacodynamics E. Collection procedures and standards F. Drugs overdoses VI. Wounds Due to Blunt Force Trauma Part I: Trunk and Extremities A. Severity, extent, and appearance of injuries B. Abrasions C. Contusions D. Lacerations E. Fractures VII. Wounds Due to Blunt Force Trauma Part II: Skull and Brain A. Basic anatomy of the skull and brain B. Cranio-cerebral injuries 1. Impact injuries 2. Accelleration/decelleration injuries C. Traumatic brain swelling and edema VIII. Wounds Due to Sharp Force Injuries A. Stab wounds B. Incised wounds C. Chop wounds D. Therapeutic/diagnostic wounds IX. Wounds Due to Gunfire A. History of firearms B. Overview of basic firearm terminology and operation C. Ballistics D. Types of gunshot wounds E. Determining range of fire F. Determining direction of fire X. Deaths Due to Asphyxiation and Drowning A. Non-specific signs of anoxia and hypoxia B. Suffocation 1. Environmental suffocation 2. Smothering 3. Choking 4. Mechanical suffocation 5. Suffocating gases C. Strangulation D. Chemical asphyxia E. Auto-erotic and sexual asphyxia XI. Deaths Due to Fire, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, and Electrocution A. Major causes of fires B. Types of burns C. Severity of burns D. Special concerns at autopsy XII. "Natural" Deaths and Unusual Deaths A. Cardio-vascular deaths B. Epilepsy C. Cancer D. Meningitis and encephalitis E. Reye's syndrome F. Respiratory deaths G. Urogenital and gastrointestinal deaths H. Starvation I. Anaphylactic deaths J. Unusual deaths

Go to Description    Go to top of Competencies    Go to top of Outline