Coroner's report - hand

Office of the Yoknapatawpha County Coroner

DATE and HOUR AUTOPSY PERFORMED:
 August 12, 8:30 a.m. by

 Manish Agarwal, M.D.
 555 Jackson Avenue
 Oxford, MS 38655
 662-234-XXXX (FAX 662-234-XXXX)

Assistant:

Victoria Witte, M.D.

Full Autopsy Performed

SUMMARY PRELIMINARY REPORT OF AUTOPSY

Name:
 FINE, Andrew Richard

Coroner's Case #:
 077

Age:
 40

Sex:
 Male

Body Identified by:
 fingerprints

Investigative Agency:
 Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department (Case #004123)

EVIDENCE OF TREATMENT

 N/A

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION

The subject presented consists exclusively of a human right hand.

The hand is that of a Caucasian male. It measures 19 centimeters from the tip of the middle finger to the point of separation and weighs 907 grams. It is unembalmed and in the early stages of putrefaction.

The hand is coated with a light layer of soil. Soil samples were collected and submitted for analysis.

The callused palm and lower fingers indicate the subject did manual labor. Fingernail scrapings were collected and submitted for analysis.

The rate of decomposition and the indication that the hand had been buried for an undetermined period suggest it has not been intact with the body for an estimated 7 - 14 days.

There are no residual scars, markings, or tattoos.

Fingerprint comparison identified the hand as that of Andrew Fine of Oxford, MS.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: N/A

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: N/A

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: N/A

GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM: N/A

HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM: N/A

URINARY SYSTEM: N/A

MALE GENITAL SYSTEM: N/A

TOXICOLOGY: N/A

SEROLOGY: A sample of blood is submitted in the EDTA tube. Routine toxicologic studies were ordered.

DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES - SUMMARY

(1) Complete distal radius and ulna fractures.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal injury.

(2) Traumatic amputation of the right hand just below the wrist.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal, post-mortem injury. Amputation was effected with a moderately sharp, non-serrated blade.

LABORATORY DATA

Drug Screen Results:

Blood Ethanol: Undetermined  

Urine Drugs: N/A  

Clinicopathologic Correlation: Undetermined  

Millicent Schmid, Ph.D.
Chief Toxicologist
August 13

EVIDENCE COLLECTED

1. Samples of Blood (type O+)

2. Two (2) autopsy photographs

3. One (1) postmortem x-ray

4. Four (4) soil samples

5. Fingernail scrapings

OPINION

Time of Death: Given available factors, the estimated time of death is between August 1 and August 10.

Immediate Cause of Death: Undetermined

Manner of Death: Homicide

Remarks: Traumatic amputation of this type is typically not fatal. However, the condition of the hand and the stage of decomposition suggest a fatality may be associated with the hand, though not likely resulting from the amputation.

Because preliminary autopsy findings were requested on a rush basis, toxicology findings are not yet available.

//Manish Agarwal, M.D.
Yoknapatawpha County Coroner's Office
August 13