CSI Forensic Death Investigation 3

Question 1

A body is found with ligature marks showing 'parchment-ization' of the skin. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The ligature was applied ante-mortem and the victim survived briefly

Answer

Parchment-ization (drying and browning of the skin at a ligature mark) indicates the ligature was applied while the victim was alive and the wound began to dry before death was complete.

Question 2

What is the significance of 'hesitation wounds' in a forensic death investigation?

Accepted Answer

They suggest a self-inflicted injury, often seen in suicides

Answer

Hesitation wounds are shallow, tentative incised wounds typically grouped near a more fatal wound, strongly suggesting self-infliction and often seen in suicide by sharp instrument.

Question 3

During scene investigation, you observe 'petechial hemorrhaging' in the conjunctiva of the eyes. This finding is most consistent with which manner of death?

Accepted Answer

Compression asphyxia or manual strangulation

Answer

Conjunctival petechiae result from rupture of small capillaries due to increased venous pressure, which is characteristic of asphyxial deaths including strangulation and compression.

Question 4

Which toxicological specimen is preferred for detecting drugs that may be redistributed post-mortem in central blood?

Accepted Answer

Femoral (peripheral) blood

Answer

Femoral (peripheral) blood is preferred over cardiac blood because drugs tend to redistribute from organs into the heart after death, artificially elevating central blood concentrations.

Question 5

What does a 'stippling' pattern around a gunshot wound entry indicate?

Accepted Answer

The muzzle was 6-18 inches from the skin at time of discharge

Answer

Stippling (tattooing) is caused by unburned powder particles embedded in the skin when the muzzle is within intermediate range, generally 6 to 18 inches from the skin surface.

(CSI) Crime Scene Investigator Practice Test

(CSI) Crime Scene Investigator Practice Test

CSI Forensic Death Investigation 3