Abortion - is the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from

the uterus of a fetus or embryo before viability.

Algor mortis (Latin: algor - coldness; mortis - death) is the reduction
in body temperature following death.
Rigor mortis (Latin: rigor - stiffness, mortis - death") is one
of the recognizable signs of death, caused by chemical changes
in the muscles after death, causing the limbs of the corpse to
become stiff and difficult to move or manipulate.
Importance Of Rigor Mortis
- Rigor mortis is utilized to approximate the time of death.
Generalized muscular contractionsoccur from 3 to 6 hours until 36 hrs.
Autopsy - a post-mortem examination to discover the cause of death or the
extent of disease. Autopsy is derived from the Greek word
"autos" - oneself and "opsis" - sight/view.
Who are authorized to perform autopsy
1. Health officers
2. Medical officer of law enforcement agencies
3. Members of the medical staff of accredited hospitals
When Autopsy performed
1. Written request of nearest kin to ascertain cause of death
2. Order of competent court, mayor, prosecutor
3. Written request of a law enforcement officer
4. When required by special law
5. Solgen, prosecutor to determine cause of death

of anatomy for study purpose only.

4. Virtual or Medical Imaging Autopsies - are performed utilizing
imaging technology only, primarily magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).
Forensic Autopsy - is used to determine the cause and manner
of death.
Anatomy - the branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of
humans, animals, and other living organisms, especially as revealed by
dissection and the separation of parts.
Biochemistry - the branch of science concerned with the chemical and
physico-chemical processes and substances which occur within living
organisms.
Cadaveric Spasm - also known as postmortem spasm, instantaneous rigor,
cataleptic rigidity, or instantaneous rigidity, is a rare form of muscular
stiffening that occurs at the moment of death, persists into the period of
rigor mortis and can be mistaken for rigor mortis.
Cadaveric spasm occurs immediately after death and is useful
to ascertain the circumstances of death.
Cerebral Concussion there is a brief loss of consciousness and
sometimes memory after a head injury that doesnt cause obvious physical
damage.
Cerebral Contusion they are bruises to the brain, usually caused by a
direct, strong blow to the head. They are more serious than concussions.

Principal Aim Of An Autopsy

1. To determine the cause of death
2. To determine the state of health of the person before he or she died,
3. To determine whether any medical diagnosis and treatment before
death was appropriate.

Circulatory System - also called the cardiovascular system, is an organ

system that permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients (such as
amino acids and electrolytes), oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, and
blood cells to and from cells in the body to nourish it and help to fight
diseases, stabilize body temperature and pH, and to maintain homeostasis.

Types of Autopsies
1. Medico-Legal Autopsy or Forensic or coroner's autopsies seek to
find the cause and manner of death and to identify the decedent.
2. Clinical or Pathological autopsies are performed to diagnose a
particular disease or for research purposes.
3. Anatomical or Academic Autopsies - are performed by students

Contempt of Court - any willful disobedience to or disregard of a court order

or any misconduct in the presence of a court action that interferes with a
judge's ability to administer justice or that insults the dignity of the court.
Punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.
Contusion - also called a bruise, is a type of hematoma of tissue in which
capillaries and sometimes venules are damaged by trauma, allowing blood

to seep, hemorrhage, or extravasate into the surrounding interstitial tissues.

Death - Complete cessation of all cardio- pulmonary (heart-lungs) and/or
cessation of brain activity. Death is the termination of all biological functions
that sustain a living organism.
Kinds of Death
1. Somatic or Clinical Death - permanent cessation of all vital bodily
functions.
2. Molecular or Cellular Death - refers to the death of cells.
3 to 6 hours after cessation of life.
3. Apparent death or State of Suspended Animation - a state in which
the processes of the body (such as blood circulation) stop or become very
slow for a period of time while a person or animal is unconscious.
Leading Causes of Death In The World
1. Ischaemic heart disease
2. Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases)
3. Lower respiratory infections
4. Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Signs Of Death
1. Cessation of heart action and circulation
2. Cessation of respiration
3. Cooling of the body (Algor Mortis) - The temperature of 1520
degrees Fahrenheit is considered as ascertain sign of death.
4. Loss of motor power
5. Loss of sensory power
6. Changes in the skin
7. Changes in and about the eye - There is loss of corneal reflex
Declaration of Tokyo - is a set of international guidelines for physicians
concerning torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment in relation to detention and imprisonment, which was adopted in
October 1975 during the 29th General assembly of the World Medical
Association.
Defloration - is the laceration or rupture of the hymen as a result of sexual
intercourse.
Dermis - the thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis which forms the
true skin, containing blood capillaries, nerve endings, sweat glands, hair
follicles, and other structures.

Digestive System - digestive system is a group of organs working together

to convert food into energy and basic nutrients to feed the entire body.
Dr. Pedro P. Solis - Philippines father of Legal Medicine.
Ecchymosis - a discoloration of the skin resulting from bleeding underneath,
typically caused by bruising.
Endocrine System - refers to the collection of glands of an organism that
secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to be carried towards
a distant target organ.
Epidermis - the outermost layer of the skin of a human or other vertebrate
animal.
Euthanasia - Meaning good death (well or good), Refers to the practice of
ending life in a painless manner. Deliberate intervention undertaken with the
express intention of ending life, to relieve intractable suffering.
Excretory System - is a passive biological system that removes excess,
unnecessary materials from an organism, so as to help maintain
homeostasis within the organism and prevent damage to the body.
Homeostasis -means remaining stable or remaining the same.
Firearm identification - used to determine whether the gun that is subject of
the investigation has the same gun used or fired.
Forensic Medicine - application of medical science to elucidate legal
problems.
Forensic Science - involves the application of the sciences to answer
questions of interest to the legal system.
Four 4 Signs of Inflammation
1. Rubor - redness
2. Calor - heat
3. Tumor - swelling
4. Dulor - pain
Fracture - comes from the Latin word fractura which means a break in the
continuity of the bone. It is also a combination of a break in the bone and
soft tissue injury.

Frostbite - injury to body tissues caused by exposure to extreme cold,

typically affecting the nose, fingers, or toes and often resulting in gangrene.

patients, which causes them to briefly raise their arms and drop them
crossed on their chests.

Frostnip - the initial stages of frostbite.

Legal Medicine - Branch of medicine which deals with the application of

medical knowledge to the purpose of law and in the administration of
justice. Application of medicine to legal cases.

Gynecology - the branch of physiology and medicine which deals with the
functions and diseases specific to women and girls, especially those
affecting the reproductive system.
Hematoma - is a collection of blood outside of a blood vessel.

Livor Mortis - is a settling of the blood in the lower (dependent) portion of

the body, causing a purplish red discoloration of the skin.
From the latin word "livor" - bluish color and "mortis" - of death.
Also known as post-mortem lividity.

Incision - a surgical cut made in skin or flesh.

Mayhem - intentional maiming of another person.
Injury - is the damage to a biological organism caused by physical harm.
Coup Injury - injury at the site of application of force.
Contre-Coup Injury - injury opposite the site of application of force.
Coup-Conre-Coup Injury - injury at the site and opposite the site of
application of force.
Locus Minoris Resistentiae - injury not at the site and not opposite the
site of application of force but at the site offering least resistance.
Extensive Injury - injury on greater area more than the site of application
of force.
Integumentary system - is the organ system that protects the body from
various kinds of damage, such as loss of water or abrasion from outside.
The system comprises the skin and its appendages, including hair, scales,
feathers, hooves, and nails.
Laceration - a deep cut or tear in skin or flesh. A wound that is produced by
the tearing of soft body tissue. This type of wound is often irregular and
jagged.

Lazarus Syndrome - is also called Lazarus Phenomenon, is the

spontaneous return of circulation after failed attempts at resuscitation.
Lazarus Sign - or Lazarus reflex is a reflex movement in brain dead

Mechanical Trauma - is an injury to any portion of the body from a blow,

crush, cut, or penetrating wound.
Medical Evidence - is the means sanctioned by the rules of court of
ascertaining in a judicial proceeding the truth respecting a matter of fact.
Types of Evidence
1. Real Evidence/Autoptic - made known to the senses
2. Testimonial Evidence - oral testimony under oath
3. Experimental Evidence
4. Documentary Evidence
Medical Jurisprudence - knowledge of law in relation to the practice of
medicine.
Medico-Legal officer - (medical examiner) a physician who determines
the cause of injury/death/disease by examining the patient/cadaver and
testify in court to aid in the administration of justice.
Mental Deficiency or mental retardation, is sub average intellectual ability
present from birth or early infancy. Intelligence is both determined by
heredity and environment. In most cases of mental deficiency, the cause is
unknown.
Classification of Mental Deficiency
1. Idiot The idiots intelligence never exceeds that of a normal child
over 2years old. The IQ is between 0 20.
This is usually congenital.
2. Imbecile the imbeciles intelligence is compared to a normal child

from 2 7 years old and the IQ is 20 40.

3. Feeble Minded his mentality is similar to that of a normal child
between 7 12 years old and an IQ of 40 70.
The Legal Importance of determining the persons state of mind are the
following:
1. In Criminal law, insanity exempts a person from criminal liability.
2. In Civil law, Insanity is a restriction of the capacity of a natural person
to act as provided in Article 38 of the Civil Code.
3. Insanity modifies or limits the capacity of a natural person to act as
provided in Article 39 of the Civil Code.
4. Insanity at the time of marriage of any or both parties is a ground for
the annulment of marriage.
Mental Health Disorders include disturbances in thinking, emotion and
behavior. There is a complex interaction between the physical
psychological, social, cultural and hereditary influences.
Factors that Contribute to the Development of Mental Disorders
1. Heredity the most frequent factor that contributes to insanity and a
good history will reveal the ascendants afflicted with the same.
2. Incestuous Marriage The mental illness is accentuated when they
are blood relative.
3. Impaired Vitality Stress, tension, worry, grief may predispose to
insanity.
4. Poor Moral Training and Breeding Corrupt moral upbringing in the
family due to immorality of the parents.
5. Psychic Factors Factors like love, hate, rage, anger, passion
disappointments.
6. Physical Factors
a. Non toxic factors exhaustion resulting from severe physical
and mental strain and traumatic injuries to the head.
b. Toxic factors drug addiction, infections of the brain.
Kinds of Mental Health Disorders
1. Psychosomatic disorders physical disorders caused by
psychological factors.
2. Somatiform disorders encompasses several psychiatric disorders in
which people report physical symptoms but deny having psychiatric
problems.
3. Generalized Anxiety Disorders
4. Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
5. Phobic Disorders

a. Agoraphobia
b. Specific phobias
c. Social phobia
6. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
7. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
8. Depression and Mania
9. Bipolar Disorder
10.Suicidal Behavior
11.Eating Disorders
a. Anorexia nervosa
b. Bulimia nervosa
c. Binge eating disorder
12.Personality Disorders
a. Paranoid
b. Schizoid
c. Histrionic
d. Narcissistic
e. Antisocial
f. Borderline
g. Avoidant
h. Dependent
i. Obsessive Compulsive
j. Passive Aggressive
k. Dissociative
13.Schizophrenia a serious mental disorder characterized by loss of
contact with reality(psychosis), hallucinations, delusions (false beliefs),
abnormal thinking, disrupted work and social functioning.
Types of Schizophrenia
a. Paranoid - is a mental disorder characterized by paranoia and a
pervasive, long-standing suspiciousness and generalized mistrust of others.
b. Hebephrenic - it is characterized by disorganized behavior and
speech, as well as disturbances in emotional expression.
c. Catatonic - does not respond to external stimuli. Characterized
by a marked lack of movement, activity, or expression.
14.Delusional Disorder
15.Psychological Incapacity a waste basket diagnosis because it is so
broad a term, that it covers all possible Mental Disorders.
Some Manifestations of Mental Disorders
1. Disorders of Cognition (Knowing)
a. Illusion

b. Hallucination
2. Disorders of Memory
a. Dementia
3. Disorders in the Content of Thought
A. Delusion
a. Delusion of grandeur
b. Delusion of persecution
c. Delusion of reference
d. Delusion of Self Accusation
e. Delusion of infidelity
f. Nihilistic delusion
g. Delusion of poverty
h. Delusion of control
i. Delusion of depression
B. Obsession
4. Disorders in the trend of thought
Types a. Mania
b. Melancholia
5. Disorders of Emotions or Feelings a disorder in the state of mind,
fervor, or sensibility, not in accord with reality.
6. Disorders of volition or conation (doing)
Conation - the mental faculty of purpose, desire, or will to perform
an action; volition.
Kinds of Conation
A. Impulsion or Impulse (Compulsion) a sudden and irresistible
force compelling a person to the conscious performance of some action
without motive or forethought.
Types of Compulsion
a. Pyromania - from the Greek word "pyr" - fire, is an impulse
control disorder in which individuals repeatedly fail to resist impulses to
deliberately start fires in order to relieve tension or for instant gratification.
b. Kleptomania - is the inability to refrain from the urge to steal
items and is done for reasons other than personal use or financial gain.
c. Dipsomania - an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic liquors.
d. Homicidal impulse - occurs when one person kills another
suddenly and without premeditation or planning.
e. Sex impulse - a sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to
have sex.
f. Suicidal impulse - recurring thoughts of or preoccupation with
suicide.

Mortal Wound - capable of causing death.

Muscular System - is an organ system consisting of skeletal, smooth and
cardiac muscles. It permits movement of the body, maintains posture, and
circulates blood throughout the body.
Mutilation - or maiming is an act of physical injury that degrades the
appearance or function of any living body.
Nervous System - consists of the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs, and all
of the nerves that connect these organs with the rest of the body.
Obstetrics - branch of medicine that deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and
postpartum period, including care of the newborn.
Paraffin test or Dermal Nitrate test present on the skin of the hand or site
of the wound of entrance. This test is not conclusive because fertilizers,
cosmetics, cigarettes, urine and other nitrogenous compounds with nitrates
will give a positive reaction.
A negative test is also not conclusive. The test usually gives a positive
result even after a lapse of 3days or even if the hands are subjected to
ordinary washing.
Pathology - the science of the causes and effects of diseases, especially
the branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of
samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes.
Paulus Zacchias - (15841659) is the Father of Forensic Medicine.
Petechiae a circumscribe extravasation of blood in the subcutaneous
tissue.
Physical Injury - is the effect of some stimulus on the body.
Physical injuries - include those caused by mechanical trauma, heat and
cold, electrical discharges, changes in pressure, and radiation.
Mechanical trauma is an injury to any portion of the body from a blow,
crush, cut, or penetrating wound.
Physics - The subject matter of physics includes mechanics, heat, light and
other radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms.
Physiology - the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of

living organisms and their parts.

Post-Mortem - (meaning after death) internal examination of the dead to
determine the cause of death.
Ante-Mortem - before death.
Post-Mortem Caloricity - is the rise of temperature of the body after death
due to rapid and early putrefactive changes, usually in the first two hours.
Post Mortem Lividity - it occurs in most extensive areas of the most
dependent portions of the body.
Puncture Wound - is usually caused by a sharp pointy object such as a nail,
animal teeth, or a tack. This type of wound usually does not bleed
excessively and can appear to close up.
Putrefaction - or decomposition is the final stage following death, produced
mainly by the action of bacterial enzymes, mostly anaerobic organisms
derived from the vowel. Other enzymes are derived from fungi and
sometimes from insects.
Kinds of Putrefaction:
1. Mummification - is the preservation of a body.
2. Saponification also called Adipocere Formation.
3. Maceration - Softening of the tissues after death by autolysis.
Reproductive System - or genital system is a system of sex organs within
an organism which work together for the purpose of sexual reproduction.
Many non-living substances such as fluids, hormones, and pheromones are
also important accessories to the reproductive system.
Respiratory System - (or ventilatory system) is a biological system
consisting of specific organs and structures used for the process of
respiration in an organism. The respiratory system is involved in the intake
and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between an organism and the
environment.

Chaste An unmarried woman who has had no carnal knowledge with

men or that she never voluntarily had unlawful sexual intercourse. These
also denotes purity of mind and innocence of heart.
Virgin A woman who has had no carnal knowledge of man.
Her genital organs have not been altered by carnal connection.
Kinds of Virginity
1. Moral virginity the state of not knowing the nature of sexual life
and not having experience sexual relation.
2. Physical Virginity A condition whereby a woman is conscious of
the nature of sexual life but has not experienced sexual intercourse.
3. Demivirginity This term refers to a condition of a woman who
permits any form of sexual liberties as long as they abstain from rupturing
the hymen by sexual act. The woman allows sexual intercourse, but only
inter femora or even inter labia, but not to the extent of rupturing the hymen.
4. Virgo intacta A truly virgin woman. There is no structural change
in her organ, notwithstanding the fact of a previous sexual intercourse.
Carnal Knowledge - is the act of a man in having sexual bodily
connection with a woman. There is carnal knowledge if there is the slightest
penetration in the sexual organ of the female by the sexual organ of the
male.
Shrapnel - fragments of a bomb, shell, or other object thrown out by an
explosion.
Skeletal System - gives the body its basic framework, providing structure,
protection, and movement.
Subpoena - order issued by the court to a person to appear in court.
Subpoena ad Testificandum- is a court summons to appear and give
oral testimony for use at a hearing or trial.
Surgery - is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and
instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a
pathological condition such as disease or injury, to help improve bodily
function or appearance or to repair unwanted ruptured areas.

Scald - is a type of burn injury caused by hot liquids or gases.

Sex Crimes - generally involve illegal or coerced sexual conduct by one
person towards another.

Topinard and Rolet - two french anatomist who devised a formula for the
determination of the height for male and female.
Toxicology - the branch of science concerned with the nature, effects, and

detection of poisons.
Trauma - injury, a physical wound to the body caused by an external
source.
Virginity - A condition of a female who has not experience sexual
intercourse and whose genital organs have not been altered by carnal
connection and whose hymen is still intact.
Virgo Intacta - literally the term refers to a truly virgin woman; that there are
structural changes in her organ to infer previous sexual intercourse and that
she is a virtuous woman.
Virtuous Female - If her body is pure and if she has never had any sexual
intercourse with another though her mind and heart is impure.
Vital Reaction - the response of living body tissues to injury.
Wound - in legal medicine,it means strictly a solution of continuity.
An injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, typically one
in which the skin is cut or broken.
Open Wound - there is a break in the continuity of the skin.
1. Abrasion - a wound consisting of superficial damage to the skin.
Scratch, friction mark.
2. Bruise - is a common skin injury that results from the breakage of tiny
blood vessels leaking under the skin. Blood from damaged blood vessels
beneath the skin collects near the surface of the skin to appear as what we
recognize as a black and blue mark. Cause by a blunt injury to the tissues

which damage blood vessels beneath the surface, allowing blood to

extravasate or leak into the surrounding tissues.
3. Incised Wound - caused by a clean, sharp-edged object such
as a knife, razor, or glass splinter.
4. Stab Wound - is a specific form of penetrating trauma to the skin that
results from a knife or a similar pointed object that is "deeper than it is
wide".
5. Punctured Wound - is a deep wound caused by something sharp and
pointed, like a nail. The opening on the skin is small, and the puncture
wound may not bleed much. Puncture wounds can easily become infected.
6. Perforating Wound - a wound with an entrance and exit opening.
7. Lacerated Wound - that occurs when skin, tissue, and/or muscle is torn
or cut open. Lacerations may be deep or, long or short, and wide or narrow.
Most lacerations are the result of the skin hitting an object, or an object
hitting the skin with force.
8. Bite - is a wound received from the teeth of an animal, including humans.
9. Gunshot Wound (GSW) - (Ballistic Trauma) is a form of physical trauma
sustained from the discharge of arms or munitions.
Barotrauma - wound/injury caused by a change in atmospheric
pressure.
Defense Wound - or self-defense wound is an injury received by the
victim of an attack while trying to defend against the assailant. often found
on the hands and forearms, where the victim has raised them to protect the
head and face or to fend off an assault, but may also be present on the feet
and legs where a victim attempts defense while lying down and kicking out
at the assailant.