Forensic Medicine

Olivia Gerald

What is it?

The application of medical knowledge to the investigation of crime, particularly in establishing the causes of injury or death.

Forensic Medicine

HOSA

Competition Event Topic

2014-2015

Description of the Event

• Two rounds
• Round I: 50 multiple choice Q’s about forensic science
• Given 1 hour to complete
• The top-scoring teams advance
• Round II: 6 minutes to analyze a case study
• Case study is unknown until the time of the event
• Written info and/or physical evidence
• 30 minutes to write your conclusions

Rules & Procedures

• Two members on each team
• You can’t use any aids or outside sources to help you in the competition
• Just you, your partner, and your brains
• At the end of the event, judges score only Round II
• Highest Round II score determines the winner
• Round I is used only to advance teams to Round II

Round I

• Written test
• Forensic Pathologist 8%
• Forensic Nursing 6%
• Investigation of Traumatic Deaths 8%
• Forensic Toxicology 10%
• Forensic Odontology 10%
• Forensic Anthropology 10%
• Forensic Taphonomy 8%
• Forensic Entomology 8%
• Identification of Blood, Bloodstains, Biological Fluids and Stains 8%
• Techniques of DNA Analysis 10%
• Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry 14%

Round II

• Part #1: Analysis
• Gather info from evidence given
• May include:
• Police reports
• Physical evidence (Manikins, bones, photos, etc.)
• Police officer, medical examiner, witness
• Part #2: Written Conclusion
• Identify the time, cause, and manner of death
• Record the observations about the case that explain why you came to your conclusions

Sample

http://www.hosa.org/sites/default/files/FM14.pdf

Sample Question #1�Investigation of Traumatic Deaths

• The mechanism of death is the physiological derangement that results in the death. An example of a mechanism of death due to a gunshot wound is exsanguination (extreme blood loss).

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• A) Old age: did not directly lead to his death in this case

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• B) Stab wounds: the problem suggests that the man could have potentially survived the wounds after surgery

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• C) Infection: the abscesses did not directly cause the death

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• D) Liver failure: directly caused the ultimate death
• Overdosing on painkillers leads to acute liver failure
• Researchers have discovered a channel transporting calcium across the cell membrane that is triggered by painkiller overdose, known as TRPM2. If they can block this channel, they might be able to prevent toxicity of the drugs. If they can stop calcium uptake and cell death, the liver will have a better chance for recovery and, hopefully, complete liver failure can be prevented.

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• The answer is D

Sample Question #2�Forensic Odontology

• Bite marks are as unique as fingerprints, in terms of identification

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• A) Amylase: enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of starch into sugars. Amylase is present in the saliva of humans and some other mammals, where it begins the chemical process of digestion.

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• B) Blood: not present in saliva

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• C) Lipolytic: enzyme that hydrolysizes fats, resulting in the production of carboxylic acids and glycerol; present in the degestive tract

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• D) Peptidase: enzyme (protease) that begins protein catabolism by hydrolysis of the peptide bonds that link amino acids together in a polypeptide chain; present in digestive juices
• Proteases are used in laundry detergents to break down tough stains

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• The answer is A

Sample Question #3�Techniques of DNA Analysis

• A locus is a particular position, point, or place

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• A) Autosomal: refers to any of the chromosomes other than the sex-determining chromosomes (i.e., the X and Y) or the genes on these chromosomes

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• B) DNA band: represents a piece of DNA in a DNA marker result

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• C) Exemplar: a person or thing serving as a typical example or excellent model

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• D) Genotype: the genetic makeup of a cell, an organism, or an individual usually with reference to a specific characteristic under consideration

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• The answer is D

Case Study Analysis

Which information is important?

Opioids and Stimulants

• Opioids (downers): analgesic and central nervous system depressant effects; euphoria or a sense of well-being

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• Stimulants (uppers): can increase mental alertness and focus; enhance physical energy; cause excitation by influencing brain chemicals (e.g., noradrenalin, norepinephrine, dopamine); euphoria
• Amphetamines and cocaine are the most prevalent stimulants abused
• Amphetamines come in a variety of commercial and illicit preparations that can be used orally, intranasally, smoked, or injected

Reasons for Mixing

• Amphetamines and other stimulants have an analgesic effect in their own right and significantly enhance the analgesic effects of opioids
• “Uppers” and “downers” enhance each other’s effects
• Beneficial alternative to pure opioids
• Financial reasons
• Painkillers
• Less drugs → mix → greater affect
• Pleasurable high makes them attractive to abusers

Reasons for Mixing

Reasons for Mixing

My Conclusion

• Time of Death: 11:10 pm on Monday, May 28^th, 2007
• Immediate Cause of Death: Drug overdose
• Manner of Death: Accident
• Remarks