LEGAL MEDICINE
Written request of a law enforcement
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) – reduction in body temperature
following death.
Rigor mortis (Latin: rigor - stiffness, mortis
- death") - 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
contractions occur from 3 to 6 hours until 36
hours.
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 is Autopsy Performed
1. Written request of nearest kin to ascertain
cause of death
2. Order of competent court, mayor,
prosecutor
3.
officer.
4. When required by special law
5. SolGen, prosecutor to determine cause of
death
Principal Aim of 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.
Types of Autopsies
1. Medico-Legal Autopsy or Forensic or
coroners – autopsies that seek to find the
cause and manner of death and to identify
the decedent.
2. Clinical or Pathological Autopsies -
performed to diagnose a particular disease or
for research purposes.
3. Anatomical or Academic Autopsies -
are performed by students 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
psycho-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 –brief loss of
consciousness and sometimes memory after
a head injury that doesn’t cause obvious
physical damage.
Cerebral Contusion – bruises to the brain,
usually caused by a direct, strong blow to the
head. They are more serious than
concussions.
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.
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
extravagate 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. Ischemic 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 15–20 degrees Fahrenheit is
considered as ascertain sign of death.
4. Loss of motor power
5. Loss of sensory power
Euthanasia - Meaning “good death” (well or
6. Changes in the skin
good), refers to the practice of ending life in
7. Changes in and about the eye - There is a painless manner. Deliberate intervention
loss of corneal reflex undertaken with the express intention of
ending life, to relieve intractable suffering.
Declaration of Tokyo - is a set of
international guidelines for physicians Excretory System - is a passive biological
concerning torture and other cruel, inhuman system that removes excess, unnecessary
or degrading treatment or punishment in materials from an organism, so as to help
relation to detention and imprisonment, maintain homeostasis within the organism
which was adopted in October 1975 during and prevent damage to the body.
the 29th General assembly of the World
Medical Association.
Homeostasis -means remaining stable or
remaining the same.
Defloration - is the laceration or rupture of
the hymen as a result of sexual intercourse.
Firearm identification - used to determine
whether the gun that is subject of the
Dermis - the thick layer of living tissue
investigation has the same gun used or fired.
below the epidermis which forms the true
skin, containing blood capillaries, nerve
Forensic Medicine - application of medical
endings, sweat glands, hair follicles, and
science to elucidate legal problems.
other structures.
Forensic Science - involves the application
Digestive System - digestive system is a
of the sciences to answer
group of organs working together to convert
questions of interest to the legal system.
food into energy and basic nutrients to feed
the entire body.
Four (4) Signs of Inflammation
1. Rubor - redness
Dr. Pedro P. Solis – Philippines’ father of
2. Calor - heat
Legal Medicine.
3. Tumor - swelling
4. Dulor - pain
Ecchymosis - a discoloration of the skin
resulting from bleeding underneath,
Fracture - comes from the Latin word
typically caused by bruising.
“fractura” which means a break in the
continuity of the bone. It is also a
Endocrine System - refers to the collection
combination of a break in the bone and soft
of glands of an organism that secrete
tissue injury.
hormones directly into the circulatory
system to be carried towards a distant target
Frostbite - injury to body tissues caused by
organ.
exposure to extreme cold, typically affecting
the nose, fingers, or toes and often resulting
Epidermis - the outermost layer of the skin
in gangrene.
of a human or other vertebrate animal.
Frostnip - the initial stages of frostbite.
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.
Incision - a surgical cut made in skin or
flesh.
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 patients, which
causes them to briefly raise their arms and
drop them crossed on their chests.
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.
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.
Mayhem - intentional maiming of another
person.
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 idiot’s intelligence never
exceeds that of a normal child over 2years
old. The IQ is between 0 – 20. This is usually
congenital.
2. Imbecile – the imbecile’s 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 person’s 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,
or grief that 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 disrupted work and social functioning.
1. Psychosomatic disorders – physical
disorders caused by psychological factors. Types of Schizophrenia

2. Somatiform disorders – encompasses a. Paranoid - is a mental disorder

several psychiatric disorders in which people characterized by paranoia and a pervasive,
report physical symptoms but deny having long-standing suspiciousness and
psychiatric problems. generalized mistrust of others.

3. Generalized Anxiety Disorders b. Hebephrenic - it is characterized by

disorganized behavior and speech, as well as
4. Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
disturbances in emotional expression.
5. Phobic Disorders
c. Catatonic - does not respond to external
a. Agoraphobia
stimuli characterized by a marked lack of
b. Specific phobias
movement, activity, or expression.
c. Social phobia
14. Delusional Disorder
6. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
15. Psychological Incapacity – a waste
7. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
basket diagnosis because it is so broad a
8. Depression and Mania term, that it covers all possible Mental
Disorders.
9. Bipolar Disorder

10. Suicidal Behavior Some Manifestations of Mental Disorders

11. Eating Disorders 1. Disorders of Cognition (Knowing)
a. Anorexia nervosa a. Illusion
b. Bulimia nervosa b. Hallucination
c. Binge eating disorder
2. Disorders of Memory
12. Personality Disorders a. Dementia
a. Paranoid
b. Schizoid 3. Disorders in the Content of Thought
c. Histrionic A. Delusion
d. Narcissistic a. Delusion of grandeur
e. Antisocial b. Delusion of persecution
f. Borderline c. Delusion of reference
g. Avoidant d. Delusion of Self – Accusation
h. Dependent e. Delusion of infidelity
i. Obsessive – Compulsive f. Nihilistic delusion
j. Passive Aggressive g. Delusion of poverty
k. Dissociative h. Delusion of control
i. Delusion of depression
13. Schizophrenia – a serious mental B. Obsession
disorder characterized by loss of contact
with reality (psychosis), hallucinations,
delusions (false beliefs), abnormal thinking,
4. Disorders in the trend of thought
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 - (1584–1659) 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. It includes those
caused by mechanical trauma, heat and cold, Kinds of Putrefaction
electrical discharges, changes in pressure, 1. Mummification - is the preservation of a
and radiation. body.
2. Saponification – also called Adipocere
Mechanical trauma is an injury to any
Formation.
portion of the body from a blow, crush, cut,
3. Maceration - Softening of the tissues after
or penetrating wound.
death by autolysis.

Physics - The subject matter of physics

Reproductive System - or genital system is
includes mechanics, heat, light and other
a system of sex organs within an organism
radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, and
which work together for the purpose of
the structure of atoms.
sexual reproduction. Many non-living
substances such as fluids, hormones,
Physiology - the branch of biology that
and pheromones are also important
deals with the normal functions of living
accessories to the reproductive
organisms and their parts.
system.

Post-Mortem - (meaning after death)

Respiratory System - (or ventilatory
internal examination of the dead to
system) is a biological system consisting of
determine the cause of death.
specific organs and structures used for the
process of respiration in an organism. The
Ante-Mortem - before death.
respiratory system is involved in the intake
and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Post-Mortem Caloricity - is the rise of
between an organism and the environment.
temperature of the body after death due to
rapid and early putrefactive changes, usually
Scald - is a type of burn injury caused by hot
in the first two hours.
liquids or gases.

Post Mortem Lividity - it occurs in most

Sex Crimes - generally involve illegal or
extensive areas of the most dependent
coerced sexual conduct by one person
portions of the body.
towards another.

Puncture Wound - is usually caused by a

Chaste – An unmarried woman who has had
sharp pointy object such as a nail, animal
no carnal knowledge with men or that she
teeth, or a tack. This type of wound usually
never voluntarily had unlawful sexual
does not bleed excessively and can appear to
intercourse. These also denotes purity of
close up.
mind and innocence of heart.

Putrefaction - or decomposition is the final

Virgin – A woman who has had no carnal
stage following death, produced mainly by
knowledge of man. Her genital organs have
the action of bacterial enzymes, mostly
not been altered by carnal connection.
anaerobic organisms derived from the vowel.
Other enzymes are derived from fungi and
sometimes from insects.
 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. Demi–virginity – 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.
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. Caused by a blunt injury to the tissues
which damage blood vessels beneath the
surface, allowing blood to extravasate or leak
into the surrounding tissues.
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.

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 shallow,
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.