determine the cause of death?
2007-06-26 13:10:47 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
In most cases yes. Even a skeleton can be examined to determine possible causes of death and in some cases the actual cause. This body can be examined chemically, anatomically, and systemically.
2007-06-26 13:21:38 · answer #1 · answered by Spanglish 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the stage of decomposition, a medical examiner will usually be able to determine the cause of death to a degree. Obviously in a body that is more decomposed there will be less evidence to point to the exact cause of death. But a medical examiner is trained to look for more permanent evidence, such as evidence in bones, or tissues that take longer to decompose and is also trained to recognize injuries in badly decomposed or mutilated bodies, even when they are not obvious. (I know of an instance where a medical examiner was able to determine that the person had died of stab wounds when the body had been chopped into over 60 pieces.)
2007-06-26 20:26:27 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot depends on just what was the cause of death. A body can be so badly decomposed the cause of death will be difficult or impossible to find but this is somewhat unusual.
It is still possible to do toxicology, to look for broken bones, to analyze stomach content and so forth, which can be clues or proof positive of cause of death. Decomposition can remove such clues as bruises, scratches or superficial wounds, but these usually don't cause a person to die.
2007-06-26 23:53:42 · answer #3 · answered by Warren D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forensic science is growing by leaps and bound. The time of death will be fairly accurately determined by the decomposition, and will factor in things like the temperature, and even the insects that have been on her body. The cause of death will likely be determined, and no doubt there will be microscopic evidence from contact with the killer.
2007-06-26 21:33:16 · answer #4 · answered by One Wing Eagle Woman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they will be able to determine the cause of death (and the time of death)
2007-06-26 20:19:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely. There are millions of reasons of causes of death. I mean, yes, it would be easier to determine it if she had just died.
2007-06-26 20:19:09 · answer #6 · answered by Titanic Fan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most of us do not know but we certainly hope that science can find a way for justice to be served.
2007-06-26 20:19:26 · answer #7 · answered by QuiteNewHere 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋