Office of the Yoknapatawpha County Coroner |
|
|
DATE and HOUR AUTOPSY PERFORMED: Manish Agarwal, M.D.
|
Assistant: Victoria Witte, M.D.
Full Autopsy Performed |
SUMMARY PRELIMINARY REPORT OF AUTOPSY |
|
|
Name: |
Coroner's Case #: |
|
Date of Birth: |
Age: |
|
Race: |
Sex: |
|
Date of Death: |
Body Identified by: |
|
Case # |
Investigative Agency: |
|
EVIDENCE OF TREATMENT N/A EXTERNAL EXAMINATION – SUMMARY The autopsy was begun at 2:00 p.m. on July 15, 2023. The body is presented in a black body bag. At the time of examination, the body is dressed in one gray tank top, one pair of black shorts, two white socks, two white sneakers, one white sports bra, and one pair of white underwear. The body is that of a normally developed, well-nourished Caucasian female measuring 67 inches in length, weighing 117 pounds, and appearing generally consistent with the stated age of eighteen years. The body is cold and unembalmed. Rigor mortis is present in the face and neck. Blanching lividity is observed on the posterior of the body. The scalp is covered by straight, dark brown hair with a maximal length of 56 cm. The body hair is female and average. The head is symmetric. The eyes are open, and the irides are brown. The teeth are natural with some amalgam restorations. The neck shows injuries to be described below. The anterior chest and abdomen are symmetric and intact. The external genitalia are female and unremarkable. The back is symmetrical and intact. The lower extremities are symmetric, normally developed, and intact. The upper extremities are normally developed and show injuries to be described below. There are no residual scars, markings, or tattoos. INTERNAL EXAMINATION – SUMMARY CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: The brain weighs 1,271 grams and is within normal limits. Hemorrhaging penetrates the skin and subdermal tissues of the neck. MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM: The hyoid bone is fractured. The remainder of the musculoskeletal system is intact, unremarkable, and within normal limits. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: The heart weighs 254 grams and has an average size and configuration. Cardiac valves and coronary ostia are anatomic and unremarkable. No evidence of atherosclerosis or gross ischemic changes of recent or remote origin is present. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: The oral cavity shows no lesions. Petechial hemorrhaging is present in the mucosa of the lips and the mouth. Otherwise, the mucosa is intact, and there are no injuries to the lips, teeth, or gums. The mucosa of the epiglottis, glottis, piriform sinuses, trachea, and major bronchi are anatomic. The thyroid and the cricoid cartilages and the larynx are fractured. The lungs are unremarkable and weigh: right, 368 grams; left, 377 grams. GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM: The mucosa and wall of the esophagus are intact and gray-pink, free from lesions or any type of injury. The gastric mucosa is intact and pink with the absence of injury. Approximately 21 ml of partially digested semisolid food is found in the stomach. The pancreas on section is uniform, gray-pink, and moderately firm. The mucosa of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and rectum are intact and free from injury. Externally the small intestine, appendix, and colon are unremarkable. HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM: The liver weighs 1,211 grams. The gallbladder contains 2 cc of thick green viscid bile, no stones, and is grossly normal. The extrahepatic biliary system is unremarkable. The pancreas shows the usual lobular architecture and mild autolysis and is otherwise normal. URINARY SYSTEM: The kidneys weigh: left 112 grams, right 103 grams. The kidneys are anatomic in size, shape, and location and are without lesions. The pelvic calyceal system and ureters are unremarkable. The bladder contained 3cc of urine. With this removed, the bladder wall is unremarkable. FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM: The structures are within normal limits. Examination of the pelvic area indicates the victim had not given birth. The inguinal regions and buttocks are normal. There are no indications of recent sexual activity. TOXICOLOGY: A sample of the right pleural blood and bile are submitted for toxicologic analysis. Stomach contents are saved. SEROLOGY: A sample of the right pleural blood is submitted in the EDTA tube. Routine toxicologic studies were ordered. DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES - SUMMARY (1) Multiple occurrences of acute blunt force trauma to the anterior of the neck resulting in extensive injuries to the larynx, thyroid, and cricoid cartilages. The initial blow was administered to the left side of the neck. Ensuing blows were delivered in quick succession to the left, center, and right sides of the neck. It cannot be determined which was the fatal blow, though several of the estimated eleven strikes were potentially lethal. The instrument used to deliver these blows is approximately 1 cm in diameter, with rounded edges and a smooth surface. Opinion: These are fatal injuries. (2) There are oblique and transverse fractures with varying displacements of the middle and proximal phalanges on the left hand. Contusions are present on the left and right hands and forearms. These injuries are consistent with defensive wounds. Opinion: These are non-fatal perimortem injuries. LABORATORY DATA Cerebrospinal fluid culture and sensitivity: Gram stain: Unremarkable Cerebrospinal fluid bacterial antigens: Hemophilus influenza B: Negative PRELIMINARY TOXICOLOGIC STUDIES Urine screen {Immunoassay} was NEGATIVE Blood (Heart) Ethanol: 0.00g/dL Vitreous Ethanol: 0.00g/dL Additional analyses pending. Millicent Schmid, Ph.D. EVIDENCE COLLECTED 1. Decedent's clothing • One (1) gray tank top • One (1) black shorts • Two (2) white socks • Two (2) white sneakers • One (1) white sports bra • One (1) white underwear 2. Samples of Blood (type A+), Vitreous Fluid, Bile, and Tissue (heart, lung, brain, kidney, liver, spleen) 3. Stomach contents 4. Samples collected from under the deceased's fingernails 5. Five (5) autopsy photographs 6. One (1) postmortem CT scan 7. One (1) postmortem MRI OPINION Time of Death: Body and environmental temperatures, rigor and livor mortis, stomach contents, and other factors approximate the time of death between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. 07/15/2023. Cause of Death: Asphyxia due to acute laryngeal trauma. Manner of Death: Homicide
//Manish Agarwal, M.D. |
|
ForensiKit
by Crime Scene
a monthly subscription box
Explore the different techniques used in working a crime scene.
- Learn about fingerprinting, collecting shoeprints, detecting blood, & more.
- Makes a great gift for aspiring investigators, students, and other crime science buffs!
Each box (retail value $50+) comes with the same tools the pros use, directions, and learning activities.
Order now to get the June box