Coroner's report - body

Office of the Yoknapatawpha County Coroner

DATE and HOUR AUTOPSY PERFORMED:
 August 13, 8:30 a.m. by

 Judith Fuller, 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 #:
 082

Age:
 40

Sex:
 Male

Body Identified by:
 Fingerprints and dental records

Investigative Agency:
 Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department (Case # 004144)

EVIDENCE OF TREATMENT

 N/A

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION

The body is presented in a black body bag. At the time of examination, the body is clothed in a yellow, short-sleeved, collared knit shirt, size L; blue denim jeans, size 34W, 32L; white socks and white athletic shoes, size 10.5. Clothing and exposed skin have a residual coating of what appears to be soil consistent with the body being buried unprotected in earth.

The body is that of a normally developed, well-nourished Caucasian male measuring 71 inches in length, weighing 180 pounds, and appearing generally consistent with the stated age of 40 years.

The body is cold to the touch following refrigeration. Preservation of the unembalmed body is poor. Permanent lividity is present on the posterior of the body.

The scalp is unremarkable and is covered by short gray and brown hair. The body hair is male and average.

The head is symmetric and unremarkable. The eyes are closed, and the irises are blue. Pupils measure 0.5 cm. The teeth are natural and in fair repair. The neck is symmetric and unremarkable.

The anterior chest is symmetric, and there is evidence of two distant gunshot wounds (Injuries 1 and 2, described below). The abdomen is unremarkable.

The external genitalia is male, and there is evidence of a distant gunshot wound (Injury 3, described below).

The back is symmetrical. The left upper extremity is normally developed and intact. The right upper extremity is normally developed, and the hand has been amputated at the wrist (Injury 4, described below).

The lower extremities are symmetric, normally developed, and intact.

There are no residual scars, markings, or tattoos.

The body was identified through fingerprints and dental records as that of Andrew Fine, consistent with identification in the decedent's wallet taken into evidence at the scene by YCSD CSU.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION - SUMMARY

Multiple deep lacerations transversing the left lung, heart, muscle tissue, and blood vessels of the left upper chest cavity consistent with bullet impact and surrounding bone fragment penetration, originating at the bullet points of entry (Injuries 1 and 2 below) in a classic wound channel formation at approximately a 35° vertical angle and 10° horizontal angle (Injury 1 below) and approximately a 30° vertical angle and 15° horizontal angle (Injury 2 below).

Multiple deep lacerations transversing the intestines, muscle tissue, and blood vessels of the left upper chest cavity consistent with bullet impact and surrounding bone fragment penetration, originating at the bullet point of entry (Injury 3 below) in a classic wound channel formation at approximately a 45° vertical angle and 10° horizontal angle.

All other organs are within normal limits. No underlying pathological disease conditions or congenital anomalies were observed.

DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES - SUMMARY

(1) Entry puncture wound consistent with a gunshot on the left chest, 2 inches to the left of the left nipple.

Opinion: This is a fatal injury.

(2) Entry puncture wound consistent with a gunshot on the left chest, 2 inches above and 1/2 inch to the left of the left nipple.

Opinion: This is a fatal injury.

(3) Entry puncture wound consistent with a gunshot in the pelvic area, 6 inches below and 1-1/2 inches to the left of the navel.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal injury.

(4) Traumatic distal 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

Blood Ethanol: Undetermined  

Urine Drugs: Undetermined  

Clinicopathologic Correlation: Undetermined  

Millicent Schmid, Ph.D.
Chief Toxicologist
August 16

EVIDENCE COLLECTED

1. Samples of Blood (type O+), Bile, and Tissue (heart, lung, brain, kidney, liver, spleen)

2. Samples of soil residue from the exterior of the body and clothing

3. Five (5) foreign pubic hairs

4. Ten (10) autopsy photographs

5. One (1) postmortem CT scan

6. One (1) postmortem MRI

7. Three (3) hollow-point bullet fragments

OPINION

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

Immediate Cause of Death: Cardiac lacerations due to gunshot wounds.

Manner of Death: Homicide

Remarks: (1) Human right hand examined in Autopsy No. 077 has been conclusively identified as belonging to this decedent, Andrew Fine. At the time of Autopsy No. 077 (August 12), no conclusion could be drawn regarding the condition of the body from which the hand had been amputated.

Further review of the findings of Autopsy No. 077 in light of the results of this examination indicates the decedent had been deceased for an undetermined period of time prior to amputation of the right hand.

YCSD detectives were notified of this finding immediately upon the conclusion of the analysis of the findings of both autopsies.

(2) Preliminary toxicology findings were inconclusive. Additional analyses are ongoing.

//Judith Fuller, M.D.
Yoknapatawpha County Coroner's Office
August 16