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*** RUSH ***
EVIDENCE OF TREATMENT
N/A
EXTERNAL EXAMINATION - SUMMARY
The autopsy is begun at 8:30 A.M. on January
17,
2005. The remains are presented in a yellow and white bucket labeled
"AquaChem". The remains inside the bucket consist of a human head.
No other body parts are found in the bucket.
The hair is white
and approximately 22 inches in length.
The skin is blackened and blistered, consistent with a chemical
burn. The head is symmetric and the eyes are
closed. The irises are
green and the pupils
measure 0.5 cm. Evidence of inflammation is noted around the eyes
and mouth. The teeth are natural and well-maintained.
A tattoo of a butterfly measuring 1/2-inch by 1/2-inch is observed
behind the left ear.
There are no other residual scars,
markings or tattoos.
INTERNAL EXAMINATION - SUMMARY
The head is severed between the C1 and C2
vertebrae.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: The brain weighs
1,204 grams and has
unremarkable meninges. The vasculature of the basilar and cerebral
arterial circulatory systems are unremarkable. With the dura
removed, the base of the skull is free of fractures.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: N/A
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM:
The oral cavity shows signs of inflammation. The mucosa is intact. There is no obstruction of the airway. The
mucosa of the epiglottis, glottis and piriform sinuses are anatomic
and show signs of inflammation.
GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM: N/A
URINARY SYSTEM: N/A
FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM: N/A
TOXICOLOGY: Samples of blood and hair submitted for toxicologic analysis.
SEROLOGY: Sample of blood
submitted in the EDTA tube for analysis.
DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES - SUMMARY
(1) Decapitation between C1 and C2
vertebrae
Opinion: This is a fatal
injury.
LABORATORY DATA
Drug Screen Results:
Urine screen {Immunoassay} was N/A.
Ethanol - Blood (Heart): N/A
Ethanol - Vitreous: results pending
Millicent Schmid, Ph.D.
Chief Toxicologist
January 25, 2005
EVIDENCE COLLECTED
1. Samples of Hair, Blood (type A+), and
Brain Tissue.
2. Seven (7) autopsy photographs.
3. One (1) postmortem CT scan.
4. One (1) postmortem MRI.
5. Three (3) postmortem dental x-rays.
Hair sample, blood sample and tissue
sample transferred to Crime Lab for further
analysis.
OPINION
Time of Death: Effects of chemicals in
which the head was immersed significantly affect ability to
determine time of death. Given available factors, approximate time of death
is between 12/15/2004 - 12/30/2005.
Immediate Cause of Death:
Undetermined
Manner of Death: Homicide
Remarks: The decapitation is a
potentially fatal wound but may not have been the cause of death.
Victim may have been already deceased by causes unknown at the time
of decapitation. Given the rush nature of this report, full analysis
results are not yet complete. However, the decapitation tends to
indicate death was not due to accident, natural causes, or suicide.
Pending toxicology results may provide additional information in
this regard.
Deceased presented as John Doe
#005-2005, and subsequently identified through
PCR DNA and dental records as Denise Hartigan.
PCR DNA results indicate that the deceased,
John Doe #9-2004 from Pontotoc County, Jane Doe #01-05 from Panola
County, and Jane Doe #2005-002 from Calhoun County are all from the same
person.
//Manish Agarwal, M.D.
Yoknapatawpha County Coroner's Office
January 25, 2005
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