EVIDENCE OF TREATMENT:
N/A
EXTERNAL EXAMINATION:
The autopsy is begun at 8:30 A.M. on May 24,
2004. The body is presented in a black body bag. The victim is
wearing a white sleeveless turtleneck shirt and navy blue
sweatpants. Jewelry included two smooth-textured silver hoop pierced
earrings, 1-inch diameter, one in each ear, and one 1-inch wide
silver expandable wristband on left wrist. A 1.5-inch wide tan belt with green
stripes is cinched around the upper neck using the buckle. The
opposite end of the belt is tied in a half-hitch knot, which was
used to affix it to the crossbar in the closet where the body was
found.
The body is that of a normally developed white
female measuring 67 inches and weighing 118 pounds, and appearing
generally consistent with the stated age of twenty-six years. The
body is cold and unembalmed. Lividity is fixed in the distal
portions of the limbs. The eyes are open. The irises are brown and
corneas are cloudy. Petechial hemorrhaging is present in the
conjuctival surfaces of the eyes. The pupils measure 0.3 cm. The
hair is dark blonde with lighter blonde highlights, wavy, layered
and approximately 11 inches in length at the longest point.
Removal of the belt revealed a ligature mark
(known throughout this report as Ligature A) on the neck
below the mandible.
Ligature A is approximately 1.5 inches wide and encircles the neck in the form of a
"V" on the anterior
of the neck and an inverted "V" on the posterior of
the neck, consistent with hanging. Minor abrasions are present in
the area of Ligature A. Lack of hemorrhage surrounding Ligature A
indicates this injury to be post-mortem.
Upon removal of the victim’s clothing, an odor
of bleach was detected. Areas of the body were swabbed and submitted
for detection of hypochlorite. Following removal of the shirt, a
second ligature mark (known throughout this report as Ligature B)
was observed on the victim’s neck. The mark is dark red ligature and
encircles the neck, crossing the anterior midline of the neck just
below the laryngeal promience. The width of the mark varies
between 0.8 and 1cm and is horizontal in orientation. The skin of
the anterior neck above and below the ligature mark shows petechial
hemorrhaging. Ligature B is not consistent with the belt that caused
Ligature A. The absence of abrasions associated with Ligature B,
along with the variations in the width of the ligature mark, are
consistent with a soft ligature, such as a length of fabric. No
trace evidence was recovered from Ligature
B that might assist in identification of the ligature used.
The genitalia are that of an adult female and
there is no evidence of injury. Pubic hair has been shaved in its
entirety within six hours of death. Limbs are equal, symmetrically
developed and show no evidence of injury. The fingernails are medium
length and fingernail beds are blue. There are no residual scars,
markings or tattoos.
INTERNAL EXAMINATION:
HEAD--CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: Subsequent
autopsy shows a broken hyoid bone.
Hemorrhaging from Ligature B penetrates the skin and subdermal
tissues of the neck. The brain weighs 1,303 grams and within
normal limits.
SKELETAL SYSTEM: The
hyoid bone is fractured.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM--THROAT STRUCTURES: The
oral cavity shows no lesions. Petechial hemorrhaging is present in
the mucosa of the lips and the interior of the mouth. Otherwise, the
mucosa is intact and there are no injuries to the lips, teeth or
gums.
There is no obstruction of the airway. The
mucosa of the epiglottis, glottis, piriform sinuses, trachea and
major bronchi are anatomic. No injuries are seen and there are no
mucosal lesions. The hyoid bone, the thyroid,
and the cricoid cartilages are fractured.
The lungs weigh: right, 355 grams; left 362
grams. The lungs are unremarkable.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: The heart weighs 253
grams, and has a normal size and configuration. No evidence of
atherosclerosis is present.
GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM: The mucosa and wall
of the esophagus are intact and gray-pink, without lesions or
injuries. The gastric mucosa is intact and pink without injury.
Approximately 125 ml of partially digested semisolid food is found
in the stomach. The mucosa of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon
and rectum are intact.
URINARY SYSTEM: The kidneys weigh: left, 115
grams; right, 113 grams. The kidneys are anatomic in size, shape and
location and are without lesions.
FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM: The structures are
within normal limits. Examination of the pelvic area indicates the
victim had not given birth and was not pregnant at the time of
death. There is evidence of recent sexual activity
but no indications that the sexual contact was
forcible. Vaginal fluid samples
are removed for analysis.
TOXICOLOGY: Sample of right pleural blood and
bile are submitted for toxicologic analysis. Stomach contents are
saved.
SEROLOGY: A sample of right pleural blood is
submitted in the EDTA tube. Routine toxicologic studies were
ordered.
LABORATORY DATA
Cerebrospinal fluid culture and sensitivity:
Gram stain: Unremarkable
Culture: No growth after 72 hours
Cerebrospinal fluid bacterial antigens:
Hemophilus influenza B: Negative
Streptococcus pneumoniae: Negative
N. Meningitidis: Negative
Neiserria meningitidis B/E. Coli K1: Negative
Drug Screen Results:
Urine screen {Immunoassay} was NEGATIVE.
Ethanol: 0 gm/dl, Blood (Heart)
Ethanol: 0 gm/dl, Vitreous
Millicent Schmid, Ph.D.
Chief Toxicologist
May 25, 2004
EVIDENCE COLLECTED:
1. One (1) white turtleneck sleeveless
shirt, size Small.
2. One (1) pair navy blue sweatpants, size
Small.
3. Two (2) silver hoop earrings.
4. One (1) silver bracelet.
5. Samples of Blood (type
O+), Bile, and
Tissue (heart, lung, brain, kidney, liver, spleen).
6. Fifteen (15) swabs from various body
locations, to be tested for presence of hypochlorite.
7. Eleven (11) autopsy photographs.
8. One postmortem CT scan.
9. One postmortem MRI.
OPINION
Time of Death: Body temperature, rigor
and livor mortis, and stomach contents approximate the time of death
between 7:30 and 9:30 P.M. on 5/22/2004.
Immediate Cause of Death: Asphyxia due
to ligature strangulation (Ligature B). Ligature A is made
post-mortem.
Manner of Death: Homicide
Remarks: Decedent originally presented
to this office as suicide victim. Presence of the post-mortem
ligature mark suggests that suicide in this case is highly
improbable. YCSD detectives were notified of this finding
immediately upon conclusion of examination.
//Manish Agarwal, M.D.
Yoknapatawpha County Coroner's Office
May 25, 2004
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