Legal Medicine - MIDTERM EXAM

MIDTERM EXAM
1. Discuss the different means of identification of a person.

Persons could be identified in different means, such as:
a. Morphological Characteristics – generally, this type of identification is the most
common means to identify a person which does not require medical expertise in
identification. In a loose sense, this is to identify a body through his general
physique so that any person could identify another. A person could be profiled
through his racial and clinical appearances, through his clothing and other
ornaments, tattoos, scars, or any other physical attributes of the person/victim.
b. Fingerprints – this type of identification is merely through the arches, loops,
whorls or composites of a person’s fingerprint. It is a fact that each fingerprint
is unique and the chance of two persons having identical fingerprints is one in
sixty four billion people. This type of identification is technical that the
identification is usually done by the police. There are several times however
that a doctor could perform such.
c. Identity from teeth – this is the type of identification where a person/victim is
being identified through the teeth. In forensic odontology (dentistry), identity
could be known in two ways; first, through bite marks, and, second, though
identity. Usually the teeth of the person/victim, or the bite mark, if need
identification, is matched to the dental records of the suspected identity of the
person/victim. If for example, there is no dental records, the teeth of a person
may still be used to identify his age, sex and race.
d. Tattoos – this identification is used as even in a decomposed body, a tattoo
could still be visible on the underlying epidermis. The usual process is to take
photograph or drawing of the tattoo and circulate the same to the general public.
e. In identifying a decomposed or skeletal remains of a person/victim, first thing to
identify is if the remains are actually bones. If the same are, then are they bones
of human? If the remains are bone of human, from the latter, the sex, age and
other physical appearance of person/victim, such as height and race could be
identified. In recent years, facial reconstruction through the skull is being
developed.
2. What is rigor mortis? Livor mortis? Give their significance.

a. Rigor Mortis – it is the stiffening of muscles on certain period of time after
death. The process is specifically important in identifying the time of death of
the person/victim. In an average environment, rigor may be first detectable
within 1-4 hours in the face and in the limbs within 4-6 hours. The strength of
rigidity, as determined by gently flexing the joints may be increased up to 6-12
hours. The situation remains static until tissue decomposition begins, the
secondary flaccidity becoming apparent from 24-50 hours.
b. Livor Mortis – or the post-mortem hypostasis is the colorization, usually dark
pink and bluish, which is caused by the plasma and red blood cells upon
cessation of blood circulation, seek the lowest level due to gravity within the
vascular system. The use of livor mortis is to indicate the time of death
(although unreliable) and to indicate whether the body has been moved after
death.
3. Differentiate:
a. Abrasion – is the most superficial type of injury, often called scratch or graze. In
this type of wound, the injury is only on the cuticle or epidermis and the wound
does not penetrate the dermis. It is usually caused by an object striking the skin.
b. Contusion - this type of injury is caused by blunt injury to the tissue which
damage blood vessels beneath the surface, allowing blood to extravasate (leak)
into the surrounding tissues.
c. Hematoma
d. Laceration - this type of wound is usually the most dangerous type of injury. It is
sometimes called gashes or cuts. It is a splitting or tearing wound caused by blunt
injury which passes through the full thickness of the skin, and thus bleeds
profusely.
e. Fracture
4. In tabulated form, differentiate:

a. Incised wound
b. Hacked wound
c. Stab wound
d. Punctured wound
5. What is “Defense Wound”? Discuss.

Defense wounds or defense injuries are injuries sustained when a person/victim
attempted to defend himself. There are clear indications and characteristics can be seen
that said injuries were sustained while trying the person/victim is in the defensive. In
barehand attacks, or defending attacks without weapons, the outer side of the forearm, back
of the hands and knuckles may be abraded bruised or even lacerated. Fingers may be
broken, as the victim attempted to shield his head and face from the blows, which then fell
on the arms. However in knife attacks, the usual injuries are to the hands. Cuts across the
flexor surfaces of the fingers, usually at the joints are clear indication that the victim
gripped the blade. Deep incision across the web of the palm between thumb and index
finger is another common defense injury from a knife attack. In kicking attacks, bruises
may be sustained on the outer side of the thigh, as the victim crosses his legs to protect his
genital region.

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MIDTERM EXAM

1. Discuss the different means of identification of a person.

2. What is rigor mortis? Livor mortis? Give their significance.

4. In tabulated form, differentiate:

5. What is “Defense Wound”? Discuss.

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