Portfolio – Autopsy Report
Assignment Documents
Choose one of the autopsy reports to complete the portfolio assignment:
Whitney Houston
John Belushi
Brittney Murphy
Anna Nicole Smith
Mary Corrine Peters
Sousa Autopsy (Tiger Maulin)
Portfolio – Autopsy Report
Instructions for this Assignment
Use Microsoft Word to complete the autopsy report portfolio. Refer directly to the assignment directions in the document below. Answer all questions in the document on the space provided on this worksheet. Once you’ve completed the assignment, upload it into the assignment dropbox.
Choose one of the autopsy reports from the resources box and answer the questions below.
Name of the deceased:
What is the manner of death?
What is the cause of death?
Where did the death occur?
What is known to have happened leading up to the death?
Were there any witnesses? If so, what did they say?
Describe the scene where the body was found:
Portfolio – Autopsy Report
Were drugs or alcohol involved? If so, which ones?
What evidence was located at the scene or on the body?
What was observed during the external examination?
What was the temperature of the body?
What was the air temperature at the time the body was found?
Using the above information, use the Glaister Equation to estimate the time of death. Show your work here:
Was your estimation close to the estimated time of death on the autopsy report? Why do you think that is?
Was Rigor Mortis present? Where?
Was Livor Mortis present? Where?
Portfolio – Autopsy Report
What was found on the internal examination of the following areas:
- Neck:
- Chest and abdomen:
- Musculoskeletal System (Muscles and bones):
- Cardiovascular System (Heart):
- Respiratory System (Lungs):
- Gastrointestinal System (Stomach and Intestines):
- Hepatobilary System (Liver):
- Urinary System (Kidneys and Bladder):
- Head and Central Nervous System (Includes Brain and surrounding structures):
- Spinal Cord:
Which types of samples were submitted for histological (microscopic) analysis?
What was submitted for Toxicology testing?
Were any special procedures listed? If so, what were they?
Were photos taken during the autopsy? How many?
Portfolio – Autopsy Report
How many X-rays were made during the autopsy?
What was the final opinion of the medical examiner after the autopsy?
Which specialists (such as Odontologists/Forensic Dental Experts) were consulted?
List 5 findings from the specialist consultations:
List 3 terms you were unfamiliar with in the autopsy report, conduct an internet search for the term and tell what those terms mean:
Why is it important for an autopsy report to be written in an objective manner?
What surprised you most about the autopsy report you reviewed?
What questions would you ask to help clarify details not obvious from the autopsy report? Indicate who would best be able to answer such questions (family, witnesses, officers on the scene, paramedics). Use APA referencing style.