|
EVIDENCE OF TREATMENT:
N/A
EXTERNAL EXAMINATION:
The autopsy is begun at 9:00 A.M.
on February 1, 2004. The body is presented in a black body bag. When first viewed, the deceased is clothed in a floor-length
blue gown with rhinestones and is wearing blue high-heeled
shoes. The hands are bagged to
preserve possible evidence. No jewelry was included. The body is that of a normally developed white female measuring 67 inches, weighing 127 pounds
and appearing generally consistent with the stated age of 23 years. Lividity is fixed
and unblanching on the posterior surface of the body.
The eyes are partially open. The irises are brown.
The corneas are cloudy. The sclerae are clear. The pupils
measure 0.45 cm. The hair is reddish-brown, straight and
approximately 14 inches in length. The hair is encrusted with what
appears to be blood.
A hematoma (2x2cm) is present
on the left temporal area of the scalp. On the occipital region
of the scalp, 5 deep semi-circular wounds to the skull (all of approximately
0.5cm in diameter). The posterior region of the neck has 2 deep
semi-circular wounds of approximately 0.5cm in diameter.
The chest, abdomen and back are symmetrical
and intact. The external genitalia
are that of an adult female and there is no evidence of injury. Limbs are equal, symmetrically developed
and intact. Nine acrylic fingernails are present and painted red. The
fingernail from the middle finger of the right hand has been broken. There are no residual scars, markings or tattoos.
INTERNAL EXAMINATION:
HEAD--CENTRAL
NERVOUS SYSTEM: Subsequent autopsy shows that the hematoma to the
left temporal area of the head is non-fatal. The wound
is not consistent with the other 7 wounds to the back of the neck
and head (description follows). The two sharp force injuries to
the back of the neck are made with an instrument with possibly a
cylindrical shape having a diameter at the end (point of contact)
of approximately 1/2-cm. The wound paths are approximately
3cm in
length, causing comminuted fractures to the cervical
vertebrae, which resulted in lacerations of the spinal cord. The sharp force injuries (5) to the head seem to be made
with the same instrument that pierced the neck. The wound paths
penetrate the skin and subdermal tissues. Four of the five wounds
have created hairline fractures to the skull. Microscopic examination
of the wounds reveals what appear to be grains of dirt or dust. The brain weighs 1,325 grams and within normal limits.
SKELETAL SYSTEM: Four hairline fractures to occipital bone are
observed by X-ray. No injury to the brain is present.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM--THROAT STRUCTURES: Trace
amounts of vomit are present in the posterior oral cavity. The oral cavity shows no lesions.
The mucosa is intact and there are no injuries to the lips, teeth
or gums. There is no obstruction of the airway. The mucosa of the
epiglottis, glottis, piriform sinuses, trachea and major bronchi
are anatomic. No injuries are seen and there are no mucosal lesions.
The hyoid bone, the thyroid, and the cricoid cartilages are intact.
Lungs: The lungs weigh: right, 350 grams; left 360 grams. The
lungs are unremarkable.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: The heart weighs 249 grams, and has a normal
size and configuration. No evidence of atherosclerosis is present.
GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM: The mucosa and wall of the esophagus are
intact and gray-pink, without lesions or injuries. The gastric mucosa
is intact and pink without injury. Approximately 67 ml of partially
digested food is found in the stomach. The mucosa of
the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon and rectum are intact.
URINARY SYSTEM: The kidneys weigh: Left, 120 grams; right, 115 grams.
The kidneys are anatomic in size, shape and location and are without
lesions.
FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM: The structures are within normal limits.
The deceased has given birth in the past. There are no
signs of recent sexual activity.
TOXICOLOGY: A sample of right pleural blood
as well as bile are submitted for toxicologic analysis. Stomach
contents are saved.
SEROLOGY: A sample of right pleural blood
is submitted in the EDTA tube. Routine toxicologic studies were
ordered.
LABORATORY DATA
Cerebrospinal fluid culture and sensitivity:
Gram stain: Unremarkable
Culture: No growth after 72 hours
Cerebrospinal fluid bacterial antigens:
Hemophilus influenza B: Negative
Streptococcus pneumoniae: Negative
N. Meningitidis: Negative
Neiserria meningitidis B/E. Coli K1: Negative
Drug Screen Results:
Urine screen {Immunoassay} was NEGATIVE.
Ethanol: 0 gm/dl, Blood (Heart)
Ethanol: 0 gm/dl, Vitreous
Millicent Schmid, Ph.D.
Chief Toxicologist
Feb. 5, 2004
EVIDENCE COLLECTED:
1. One (1) blue formal gown.
2. One (1) pair blue, high-heeled women's
shoes, size 6.
3. Ten (10) samples collected from under
the deceased's fingernails.
4. Samples of Blood (type A+), Bile, and
Tissue (heart, lung, brain, kidney, liver, spleen).
5. Nine autopsy photographs.
6. One postmortem CT scan.
7. One postmortem MRI.
Manner of Death:
Homicide
Immediate Cause of Death:
Sharp force injury to the head
made with an instrument with a circular end (1/2-cm in diameter) and at least
3cm in length.
Time of Death:
Body temperature, rigor and livor mortis, and stomach
contents approximate the time of death between 9:00 P.M. 1/30/2004 and 1:00 A.M. 1/31/2004.
//Manish Agarwal, M.D.
Yoknapatawpha County Coroner's Office
Feb. 6, 2004
|
