Professional Documents
Culture Documents
the decedent.
2. Clinical or Pathological autopsies are performed to diagnose
a particular disease or for research purposes.
3. Anatomical or Academic Autopsies - are performed by students
of anatomy for study purpose only.
4. Virtual or Medical Imaging Autopsies - are performed utilizing
imaging technology only, primarily magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).
Forensic Autopsy - is used to determine the cause and manner
of death.
Anatomy - the branch of science concerned with the bodily structure
of humans, animals, and other living organisms, especially as revealed
by dissection and the separation of parts.
Biochemistry - the branch of science concerned with the chemical and
physico-chemical processes and substances which occur within living
organisms.
Cadaveric Spasm - also known as postmortem spasm, instantaneous rigor,
cataleptic rigidity, or instantaneous rigidity, is a rare form of
muscular stiffening that occurs at the moment of death, persists
into the period of rigor mortis and can be mistaken for rigor mortis.
Cadaveric spasm occurs immediately after death and is useful
to ascertain the circumstances of death.
Cerebral Concussion there is a brief loss of consciousness and
sometimes memory after ahead injury that doesnt cause obvious
physical damage.
Cerebral Contusion they are bruises to the brain, usually caused by
a direct, strong blow to the head. They are more serious than
concussions.
Circulatory System - also called the cardiovascular system, is an
organ system that permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients
(such as amino acids and electrolytes), oxygen, carbon dioxide,
hormones, and blood cells to and from cells in the body to nourish
it and help to fight diseases, stabilize body temperature and pH, and
to maintain homeostasis.
of fact.
Types of Evidence
1. Real Evidence/Autoptic - made known to the senses
2. Testimonial Evidence - oral testimony under oath
3. Experimental Evidence
4. Documentary Evidence
Medical Jurisprudence - knowledge of law in relation to the practice
of medicine.
Medico-Legal officer - (medical examiner) a physician who determines
the cause of injury/death/disease by examining the patient/cadaver
and testify in court to aid in the administration of justice.
Mental Deficiency or mental retardation, is sub average intellectual
ability present from birth or early infancy. Intelligence is both
determined by heredity and environment. In most cases of mental
deficiency, the cause is unknown.
Classification of Mental Deficiency
1. Idiot The idiots intelligence never exceeds that of a
normal child over 2years old. The IQ is between 0 20.
This is usually congenital.
2. Imbecile the imbeciles intelligence is compared to a normal
child from 2 7 years old and the IQ is 20 40.
3. Feeble Minded his mentality is similar to that of a normal
child between 7 12 years old and an IQ of 40 70.
The Legal Importance of determining the persons state of mind
are the following:
1. In Criminal law, insanity exempts a person from criminal
liability.
2. In Civil law, Insanity is a restriction of the capacity of a
natural person to act as provided in Article 38 of the
Civil Code.
3. Insanity modifies or limits the capacity of a natural person
to act as provided in Article 39 of the Civil Code.
4. Insanity at the time of marriage of any or both parties is a
ground for the annulment of marriage.
Mental Health Disorders include disturbances in thinking, emotion,
a. Delusion of grandeur
b. Delusion of persecution
c. Delusion of reference
d. Delusion of Self Accusation
e. Delusion of infidelity
f. Nihilistic delusion
g. Delusion of poverty
h. Delusion of control
i. Delusion of depression
B. Obsession
4. Disorders in the trend of thought
Types a. Mania
b. Melancholia
5. Disorders of Emotions or Feelings a disorder in the state
of mind, fervor, or sensibility, not in accord with reality.
6. Disorders of volition or conation (doing)
Conation - the mental faculty of purpose, desire, or will
to perform an action; volition.
Kinds of Conation
A. Impulsion or Impulse (Compulsion) a sudden and
irresistible force compelling a person to the conscious
performance of some action without motive or forethought.
Types of Compulsion
a. Pyromania - from the Greek word "pyr" - fire, is an
impulse control disorder in which individuals
repeatedly fail to resist impulses to deliberately
start fires in order to relieve tension or for
instant gratification.
b. Kleptomania - is the inability to refrain from the
urge to steal items and is done for reasons other
than personal use or financial gain.
c. Dipsomania - an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic
liquors.
d. Homicidal impulse - occurs when one person kills
another suddenly and without premeditation or
planning.
e. Sex impulse - a sudden strong and unreflective urge
or desire to have sex..
f. Suicidal impulse - recurring thoughts of or