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OFFICE OF THE CORONER OF YOKNAPATAWPHA COUNTY

FINAL DIAGNOSIS:
I. Intermediate to close range shotgun wound to occipital area of the head with massive craniocerebral disruption.

II. Incised wound right palmar surface.

 

III. Appendectomy.

 

Toxicologic Studies

Blood ethanol: none detected

Drug screens: none detected

 

CLINICOPATHOLOGIC CORRELATION: Cause of death of this twenty year old male is due to midrange gunshot wound to the head.

 

//Jennifer Johnson, M.D.

 

Coroner

 

Postmortem Examination Summary: Dale Joseph Taylor

 

External Examination:

 

The body is described in the standard anatomical position. The unembalmed body is that of a well developed, well nourished twenty year old white male measuring 69" from crown to sole in length and weighing 170 lbs. Rigor mortis is absent. Livor mortis is advanced and detectable on anterior dependent surfaces.

 

Opinion: Hypostasis, or livor indications taken together with the position of the body in situ upon exhumation are consistent with a conclusion that the body had not been moved post mortem.

 

The hair is short, straight and dark brown. Eyes are retracted and opaque. No evidence of conjunctive petechial hemorrhage. The mid facial area sustained extensive disruption as described in the evidence of injury section. The upper and lower teeth are natural, there are two amalgam orthodontic fillings in the 3rd and 19th molars. The ears are unremarkable.

 

Opinion: The autopsy is material to identification. Orthodontic records for Dale Joseph Taylor match with 3rd and 19th molar amalgams.

 

The chest is symmetrical, the abdomen is soft and distended with significant tissue discoloration. Examination of the anterior surface of the trunk shows no abnormalities or injuries. There is an apendectomy scar.

 

Opinion: The progression of decomposition from external examination is consistent with a post mortem period of between two and three weeks. Apendectomy scar is consistent with the surgical records for decedent.

 

The external genitalia are unremarkable and show no evidence of injury or trauma. The upper and lower extremities show no deformities or evidence of injury. There is an incised wound on the right palmar surface, described below. The hands and nails are dirt encrusted.

 

Clothing:

 

Clothing was examined both prior to and following removal from the body. The decedent was wearing a white T-shirt , bloodstained in the back neck area and having spatters on the front. No cuts or tears were present. The decedent was wearing Levi jeans, bloodstained. Undergarments consisted of white briefs and white athletic socks, the socks both have bloodstains. Black Reebok athletic shoes with bloodstains on both the uppers and soles.

 

All clothing submitted as evidence for further analysis.

 

Evidence of Injury:

 

Perforating shotgun wound of the head. Entrance wound at approximate midline of lower occipital lobe is located 13 cm from the top of the head to center of wound. The entrance wound measures 2.5 cm in diameter and is slightly ovoid with a 1.25 cm abrasion ring surrounding the wound and associated stretch marks on surrounding skin. Gunpowder stippling is found in a roughly circular pattern around the wound to 2.6 cm radius. No soot is evident. There is a massive comminuted fracture of the occipital bone. The projectile path is through the cranial cavity causing massive craniocerebral disruption in a front to back and upward path, the convexity of the skull is shattered, there is a comminuted fracture of the nose and orbits, and exits medially and superiorly to the eyes through the midline of the forehead. The exit wound is stellate measuring 8.5 cm by 5.1 cm numerous small gray metal projectiles are recovered from the wound, these are consistent with lead bird shot.

 

Description of incised wounds:

 

1. There is an incised wound to the palmar surface of the right hand at the base of the ring finger. The wound is 3/4 inch in length and does not penetrate the subcutaneous layers.

 

Internal Examination -- summary findings:

 

There is no other evidence of internal traumatic or blunt force injuries. Systemic and organ review disclosed no abnormalities or evidence of disease or injury. The gastrointestinal system shows evidence of partially digested semisolid food in the stomach, however, due to the advanced stage of decomposition, further observations are not possible. Gastrointestinal contents submitted for analysis. Musculoskeletal system is anatomic.

 

X-ray Examination:

 

Dental x-ray comparison is positive identification for decedent. Dental x-rays submitted as evidence.

 

Opinion:

 

Autopsy findings and entomological evidence submitted for analysis indicates that the time of death to be between 16 and 17 days placing date of death in the 24 hour period February 2, 1998 through February 3, 1998. Further, it is the opinion of this medical examiner that the body was buried within several hours of death based on autopsy and entomological findings.

 

The wound path, autopsy findings and position of the body in situ indicate to this examiner that the decedent was shot from above and behind. The findings indicate that the decedent was buried on the spot where the shotgun injury was inflicted and not moved. Analysis of the soil samples would be expected to show evidence of lead shot and significant bloodstaining.

 

Death of this twenty year old male is attributed to gunshot wound of the head. Manner of death is homicide.

 

//Jennifer Johnson, M.D.

 

Coroner

 

2/20/98