CFC CFC Forensic Pathology & Cause of Death 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which term describes the manner of death when a person dies as a result of another person's intentional act?
- Accidental
- Natural
- Homicide (Correct answer)
- Undetermined
Correct answer: Homicide
Homicide is the manner of death classification used when one person causes the death of another, regardless of intent.
Question 2: What is the term for the stiffening of muscles that occurs after death?
- Livor mortis
- Rigor mortis (Correct answer)
- Algor mortis
- Putrefaction
Correct answer: Rigor mortis
Rigor mortis is the temporary stiffening of muscles after death caused by chemical changes in the muscle tissue.
Question 3: Livor mortis is most useful to a forensic consultant because it can help determine:
- Exact time of death
- Whether the body was moved after death (Correct answer)
- The weapon used
- The victim's identity
Correct answer: Whether the body was moved after death
Livor mortis (pooling of blood) fixes in position after about 8–12 hours, so inconsistency with the body's final position indicates it was moved.
Question 4: Which autopsy finding would most strongly indicate asphyxiation as the cause of death?
- Petechial hemorrhages in the eyes (Correct answer)
- Pulmonary edema only
- Hepatic congestion
- Subdural hematoma
Correct answer: Petechial hemorrhages in the eyes
Petechial hemorrhages (tiny burst blood vessels) in the conjunctivae and sclera are classic indicators of asphyxiation or strangulation.
Question 5: A forensic pathologist conducting an external examination of a body would look for 'defense wounds' primarily on the:
- Feet and ankles
- Forearms and hands (Correct answer)
- Chest and abdomen
- Back of the neck
Correct answer: Forearms and hands
Defense wounds typically appear on the forearms, hands, and palms as a victim raises their arms to block or deflect an attack.
Question 6: Algor mortis refers to which postmortem change?
- Skin discoloration from blood pooling
- Body cooling after death (Correct answer)
- Onset of decomposition
- Muscle stiffening
Correct answer: Body cooling after death
Algor mortis is the gradual cooling of the body after death toward ambient temperature, used to help estimate time of death.
CFC CFC Forensic Pathology & Cause of Death 1
Which term describes the manner of death when a person dies as a result of another person's intentional act?