Death Unit Vocabulary

Front

Medical Examiner

Back

A doctor who examines bodies to determine how and why a person died.

Front

Autopsy

Back

A medical examination of the inside of the body after death to look for injuries or disease.

Front

Cause of Death

Back

The exact injury or disease that directly caused the person's death.

Front

Manner of Death

Back

How the death occurred

Front

Rigor Mortis

Back

The stiffening of muscles that occurs after a person dies.

Front

Algor Mortis

Back

The cooling of the body after death.

Front

Putrefaction

Back

The breakdown and decomposition of the body after death.

Front

Identification

Back

Using fingerprints, DNA, or dental records to determine the identity of the victim

Front

Livor Mortis

Back

The purple or dark red discoloration of the skin after death, caused by blood settling in the body.

Front

Asphyxiation

Back

Death caused by lack of oxygen, such as choking or suffocation.