Postmortem Injuries from Animals Terri Armenta Forensic Training Unlimited terriarmenta@forensictrainingunl imited.com
May 27, 2015
Course Objectives
• Learn how different types of animal bite patterns are determined via pattern activity
• Be aware of the common characteristics seen in postmortem injury patterns
• Be familiar with the common body areas artifacts may be found on decedents
Characteristics
• Wound margins can be irregular• Areas can be circular in nature• Tooth marks present• Claw marks +/- present• Can be found clothed/unclothed decedents• Homeless, outdoors (common aspects)• Low socioeconomic environments
Common Areas on Decedents
• Exposed and unprotected areas of body• Eyelids• Moist Areas of body– Nose– Mouth
• Back of hands• Loss of tissue • Blood evidence +/- may be present
Evidence Associated
• Bite patterns• Bite/tooth marks on decedent bones?• History of decedent• Feces found?• Area decedent found? Where? When? • Decedent bones crushed? – Crush/puncture bones via canine (teeth)
Type of Animals
• Non-Carnivores (scrape surface pattern)– Rodents (mice, rats)– Porcupines– Opossums– Raccoons
• Carnivores (chewing pattern)– Dogs– Coyotes
Disclaimer
Some may find these images disturbing. This presentation is for educational purposes and is meant to be viewed as such.
The case studies presented during this course represent artifacts found in cases such as these. Artifacts may and do appear differently; depending on the case and circumstance.
Case Characteristics
• Case Findings– Dressed in PJs– Nose (large defect)– Mattress revealed
rodent nests– Rodent feces found
• Autopsy Findings– Cartilage exposed– Wound edges were
irregular and serrated– Large adenoma on
thyroid gland– Aspiration of vomit,
coronary artery disease– Tox=negative– Death: respiratory
insufficiency
Case Study: Rats
• 41 y/o male; homeless, history of alcohol• Found fully dressed on mattress• Observed many rats in environment• No external injuries
Autopsy Findings
• Pneumonia• Chronic tracheobronchitis• Pulmonary emphysema• Hemorrhagic gastritis (bleeding in stomach)• Fatty Liver• Tox=alcohol in blood and urine• Death=respiratory insufficiency combined
with gastric bleeding
What Happened?
• Before and after photos reveal differences of hands
• Before photos– No defects noted– Injury not found on body
• After photos– Defects noted– Concluded injuries 45-60 minutes after initial
photos (before coroner arrived)
Autopsy Findings
• Circular soft tissue defect• Finely scalloped and serrated wound on back
of hand• Hand muscles exposed
Case Study 3: Mice
• 61 y/o male• Wearing only t-shirt and socks• Mouse feces found near head• Scene findings– Untidy– Number of empty alcohol bottles– No signs of struggle
Autopsy Findings
• Hand– Serrated wound patterns– Many lacerations
• Head– Defect found on left side of face– Nose, orbit, and cheek bone exposed
• Death=bronchopneumonia • Tox=negative
Case 4: Mice
• 44 y/o male; found in the park
• Temps below zero• Fully dressed• Death Scene– Defect on right side of
face; right ear missing
Autopsy Findings
• Defect on right forehead, face• Wounds serrated with irregular edges (gnaw
marks)• Multiple hollow defects found on back of body
(previous image)• Tox=alcohol in blood and urine• Death=pulmonary edema, necrosis of the
kidneys; hypothermia in combination with alcohol intoxication
Case 7: rats and mice
• 58 y/o male• Found in apartment• Serrated wound
margins• Scene findings– Apartment was in
disorder– Garbage in apartment– Rat and mouse feces
found in all rooms
• Autopsy– Defects found around
both upper/lower eyelids
– Bleeding gastic ulcer– Blood in stomach, small
bowel– Tox=negative– Death=atherosclerosis
and coronary artery disease
Conclusions
• Each death scene is unique• Look at all aspects of evidence– No blood present?– Feces present?
• Cases need to be investigated with an open mind and don’t allow assumptions “rule” an investigation– Gnaw marks could be observed as a result of a
sharp blade
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