Death & the Human Body: Forensics Review

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What is rigor mortis?

Back

Rigor mortis is the stiffening of the skeletal muscles after death due to chemical changes in the muscles.

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What are the four disciplines of forensic toxicology?

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The four disciplines of forensic toxicology are postmortem toxicology, human performance toxicology, doping control, and forensic workplace drug testing.

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True or False: All alcohols are toxic?

Back

True. All alcohols can be toxic, depending on the dose and context.

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What is The Body Farm?

Back

The Body Farm is a research facility that conducts experimental projects on deceased human bodies to study decomposition.

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True or False: When a blow fly hatches, it will have crumpled wings.

Back

True. Newly hatched blow flies have crumpled wings that expand as they mature.

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What is forensic entomology?

Back

Forensic entomology is the study of insects and their developmental stages to estimate the time of death.

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Define postmortem interval (PMI).

Back

Postmortem interval (PMI) is the time that has elapsed since a person has died.

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What role do blow flies play in forensic science?

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Blow flies are often the first insects to arrive at a decomposing body, making them crucial for estimating the time of death.

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What is the significance of the livor mortis?

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Livor mortis is the pooling of blood in the body after death, which can help determine the position of the body at the time of death.

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What is the purpose of forensic toxicology?

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Forensic toxicology aims to detect and identify drugs, alcohol, and poisons in biological samples to understand their effects on the body.