Types of Death

Natural Causes
Quite simply when the body ceases to
function of its own accord.
There may be medical factors such as
terminal illness which would bring about
death.
 Homicide
The taking of one human life by another
human being by means of pre-meditated
murder.
Pre-meditated means to have purposely
planned and executed the murder of
another human being in cold blood whilst
trying to elude capture by the
authorities.
 Accidental Death
As the term would suggest the death of
an individual by means other than
natural death, murder or suicide.
Accidental death can sometimes be
manslaughter - murder but committed
out of an involuntary act of violence
towards another.
 Accidental death can also be categorised as
death by misadventure.
This means that the victim has died by
accident either whilst doing something they
should not have been doing or by taking
risks that would put them in mortal danger.
Extreme sports participants have died and
their deaths have been classified as death
by misadventure because of the extreme
nature of their pastimes.
 Suicide
The deliberate taking of one's own life.
Suicide is neither accidental nor is it classified
as death by misadventure simply because the
individual has set about on a course of action
that would end with their own inevitable death.
This could occur by means of drug overdose, the
cutting of one's wrists to induce uncontrollable
bleeding, or stepping out in front of a moving
vehicle.
 If there are visible wounds such as a gunshot
wound or a knife wound then the most likely
cause of death would be attributed to
Homicide - or Murder.
Many people have died from firearms related
wounds whilst cleaning or maintaining their
own weapons.
For the most part the pathologist will concern
themselves with how the victim died and will
use this as a means upon which to base their
final findings.
 Throughout all of these types of death an
autopsy will have to be performed in order to
provide concrete proof that the pathologist -
and indeed the police officers involved with
investigating the death - is correct in their
assumptions.
Likewise their findings will also be presented
to a coroner who will reside over an inquest
and will finally be able to agree on the cause
of death so that the family of the deceased
may bury their loved one.
 Examine the evidence; can you
categorise the type of death? What
further information might you need?
Cause of Death
 Factors to Consider

location

state of undress
visible injuries

knife or gun
Autopsy
 The six stages of Autopsy

Y-Incision
Removal of Organs
Stomach Contents
Sample Collection
Head and Brain examination
Conclusion
 The Y-Incision is the procedure used by the
pathologist to open up the breastplate of the
deceased and gain access to the body's major
organs; heart, lungs, liver, stomach, spleen
etc. This incision is so called because it
resembles the shape of the letter Y and is cut
from either shoulder to the lower end of the
sternum and then downwards in a straight line
over the abdomen to the pubis.
 After the Y-Incision has been made all of the organs
are removed and weighed. This is done because
certain types of illness can cause a reduction or
increase in the weight of organs such as the heart
and/or the lungs. Most times when removed these
organs are removed in one unit but sometimes -
depending on trauma to the body - are removed in a
specific sequence. Blood samples are taken, samples
for DNA testing (as and when necessary but not
necessary in all autopsies), and toxicological tests are
carried out on the heart for signs of poisoning if no
physical injuries have manifested themselves.
 After this the abdomen is examined and
tissue samples taken for analysis and
the contents of the stomach are
examined
 The pathologist will then turn his or her
attention to the head area.
The first thing they will do is look for signs of
head injury, which should have been visible
during both external examinations. Sometimes
however head trauma cannot be visible simply
by sight alone. The pathologist makes a
triangular incision across the top of the scalp
to reveal the brain and first of all examines it
inside the head. Then once this has been
completed satisfactorily the brain is removed
for a more thorough inspection and also for
tissue samples to be taken.
 After all of these procedures have been
carried out the organs are then placed
back into the body and the body is
carefully sewn up again.
 Female Autopsy
 Dissection
Carefully identify, weigh, dissect and
label your organs.