OFFICE OF THE CORONER OF YOKNAPATAWPHA COUNTY

 

AUTOPSY REPORT - SUMMARY

Name: Zoe Chase
DOB: 7/2/65
Age: 35
Gender: F
Height: 5' 7", 170 cm
Weight: 162 lbs, 73.6 kg

Path MD: J. Johnson
Type: COR

Autopsy No: 54J-2000
Death Date - Estimate: between 10/14/00 @ 21:00 and 10/15/00 @ 00:00
Autopsy Date: 10/16/00 @ 08:00

 

Sheriff's Case No: 003933-15J-2000

 

Detailed reports on file.

 

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION - SUMMARY:

The body is presented in a black body bag. At the time of examination, the body is fully clothed in a white knit blouse, black slacks, and black fabric sandals.

The body is that of a normally developed, well nourished thirty-five year old Caucasian female. The body length is 5' 7", 170 cm in length and the weight at examination is 162 lbs, 73.6 kg. Fixed lividity is evident on the anterior of the body and there is loss of rigor.

The scalp is covered by long (16-18 inches) full, straight, blonde hair, knotted in an elastic band. The body hair is female and average. Minor abrasions are noted on the right cheekbone, palms of the hands, and the knees. The skull is symmetric and intact except for a defect associated with a gunshot wound of the right side of the head described below. The eyes are closed and the irises are blue. The teeth are natural and well maintained. The anterior chest is of normal contour and is intact except for a defect in the right thoracic region associated with a gunshot wound described below. The breasts are female and contain no palpable masses. The abdomen is protuberant and the pelvis is intact. The external genitalia are female and unremarkable. The back is symmetrical and intact except for a defect in the left thoracic region associated with a wound described below. The upper and lower extremities are symmetric, normally developed and intact. The hands and nails are clean and evidence no injury.

There are no residual scars, markings or tattoos.

DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES - SUMMARY:

There are three gunshot-related injuries of the body enumerated here for purposes of identification only.

Wound #1: Wound #1 is located over the right side of the head approximately 2 inches above and 1/2 inch anterior to the right ear. There is no evidence of soot or powder in the surrounding hair or on the scalp. Using a CT scan, a small caliber, full metal jacket projectile is observed, lodged in the left cerebral cortex. The projectile appears to be .25 caliber and was not recovered.

Wound #2: Wound #2 is located over the right anterior chest, 1 inch right of median. There is no evidence of soot or powder deposit on the surrounding skin or overlying clothing by visual examination. A small caliber, full metal jacket projectile is recovered from the fifth thoracic vertebra, marked "54J-2000-JJ1," and is reserved in the usual manner.

Wound #3: Wound #3 is located over the left posterior chest approximately 1 inch left of median, in an area approximately 2 inches by 1 1/2 inches. Wound is a result of bone fragments piercing the skin.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION - SUMMARY:

All organs are within normal limits. No evidence of a struggle or sexual intercourse, forced or consenual, is noted.

Rigor and livor mortis in addition to body temperature indicate a time of death of approximately 21:00 on 10/14/00 and 00:00 on 10/15/00.

TOXICOLOGIC STUDIES:

Toxicological examination showed no presence of drugs or alcohol.

CAUSE OF DEATH:

I. Craniocerebral trauma due to gunshot wound of the head.

II. Gunshot wound of the chest.

//Jennifer Johnson, M.D.

Coroner

10/27/00