SPECIALIZE CRIME INVESTIGATION

WITH LEGAL MEDICINE

Prepared by: Elsa J. Mahilum
Criminal investigation
as an ART - based on intuition, felicity of inspiration or by chance.
as a SCIENCE - based on adequate professionals preperation and abundance.

SPECIALIZE CRIME INVESTIGATION-

A SPECIAL STUDY OF MODERN TECNIQUE IN THE INVESTIGATION OF A SERIOUS AND SPECIFIC CRIMES. IT IS ALSO
CONCENTRATES MORE ON PHYSICAL EVIDENCE , ITS COLLECTION, HANDLING , IDENTIFICATION AND PRESERVATION IN
COORDINATION WITH THE VARIOUS CRIMINALISTS IN CRIME LABORATORY .

Physical evidence- consists of tangible materials such as fibers latent finger print or any object tat is relevant to
the case .
Physical Evidence ( TYPES)
 CORPUS DELCTI/ body of the crime -a fact
that a specific crime has been committed .
 TRACING EVIDENCE - helping locate the
perpetrator
 ASSOCIATIIVE EVIDENCE - used to linked the
suspect in the crimescene
 Chapter 1 (A)
FORENSIC SCIENCE AS APPLIED TO CRIMINAL
INVESTIGATIOM
 What is forensic
Forensic science is defined as the application of science to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced
by the police agencies
the word “ forensic” has its root from the latiin word “ forensis” which mean forum back in early rome
a forum is referred to a public place where legal proceeding and debates were held.
THE ROLE OF FORENSIC SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL LAW
FORENSIC SCIENCE IS A PIECE WITHOUT WHICH THE PUZZLE OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION WILL BE
INCOMPLETE
IN A WORL DEVOIDED Of FS MURDERERS, THIEVES, DRUG TRAFICKER AND RAPIST WOULD BE ROAMING
AROUND FREE.
THE SCOPE OF FORENSIC SCIENCE

FORENSIC BIOLOGY
Apart from fingerprint analysis, DNA profiling is the other commonly used forensic technique in criminal
investigations. DNA being as unique to an individual as fingerprints, help forensic professionals identify or confirm
an unidentified person, or to eliminate suspects from a list of accused.

FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY-

FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY -

FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY -

FORENSIC PATHOLOGY AND - a branch of pathology that helps detrmine the causes of death o
 IMPRESSION AND PATTERN EVIDENCE -
IMPRESSION EVIDENCE IS THE EVIDENCE CREATED WHEN TWO
OBJECT COME IN CONTACT
 TRACE EVIDENCE -EVIDENCE SUCH AS FIBERS , FINGER PRINTS
HAIR, GUNSHOT RISIDUE
 FORENSIC BALLISTICS- THE SCIENCE IDENTIFICATION OF
FIREARM BY THE MEANS OF AMMUNITION FIRED BY IT.
 famous personality in forensic Science
MATHIEU ORFILA - CONSIDERED AS THE FATHER OF TOXICOLOGY
ALPHONSE BETILLON - ESTABLISHED THE FIRST SCIENTIFIC SYSTEM OF PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION BYS SERIES OF
BODILY MEASUREMENT KNOWN AS ANTHROPOMETRY . IT WAS LATER REPLACE BY FINGER PRINT.

FARNCIS GALTON -FIRST TO STUDY FINGER PRINT AND CLASSIFY THEM FOR FILING

LEONE LATTES - DISCOVERED THAT BLOOD CAN BE CATEGORIES IN FOUR GROUP

CALVIN GODDARD - DETERMINE THE COMPARISON OF BULLETS IN GUN( FATHER OF FOREENSIC BALLISTICS)

ALBrET S. OSBORN - DEVELOPE PRINCIPLES OF DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

HANS GROSS - FATHER OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

EDMOND LOCARD - HAD A BACKGROUND IN MEDICINE AND LAW, AND WAS THE FIRST ONE TO US SCIENTIFIC
METHODS FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
 CHAPTER 1

The Investigator
and
Crimescene Investigation
THE INVESTIGATOR
In the field of special crime investigation, an investigator is the person who is tasked with the duty of carrying out
the objectives of investigation.

he is the individual who gathers documents and evaluates facts about the crime commited.

Duties of criminal Investigator

establish the fact
identify and apprehend the perpetrator
to recover stolen property
to assist the state in prosecuting the party charged with the offense
QUALITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE INVESTIGATOR
to be an effective investigator , he/ she must posses the following qualities
-PERSEVERANCE with ENDURANCE - the ability to last despite of many struggles
-INTELLIGENCE AND WISDOM OF SOLOMON
-HONESTY , INTEGRITY / INCURRUPTIBLE
-UNDERSTANDING OF PEOPLE AND EVIRONMENT
-KEEP POWER OF OBSERVATION AND ACCURATE DESCRIPTION
-KNOWLEDGE ABOUT LAWS ON CRIMES, EVIDENCE, ARREST AND INVESTIGATIVE CONCEPT, CRIMINALS AND THIER
MODUS OPERANDI
-MASTERY IN THE ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
PHASES OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
-IDENTIFY THE OFFFENDER
-TO LOCATE THE OFFENDER
- TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE FOR THE OFFENDERS GUILT

BASIC ELEMENT OF INVESTIGATION PROCESS

RECOGNITION-
COLLECTION-
PRESERVATION -
EVALUATION -
THREE (3) I’s INESTIGATION
INFORMATION - THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE INVESTIGATOR AQUIRED FROM OTHER PERSON .
TYPES OF INFORMATION
INFORMATION FROM REGULAR SOURCES - SUCH AS RECORDS AND FILES OF THE POLICE , COMPANY RECORDS.
INFORMATION FROM CULTIVATED SOURCES- SUCH AS informer or informants
Grapevine source - disclosed by underwolrd character such as prisoners, ex convict or prostitutes

INTERROGATION- SKILFULL QUESTIONING purpose to obtaine confession/ admission

INSTRUMENTATION.- applying tools in solving crimes

SIX CARDINAL POINT OF INVESTIGATION

5 Ws and 1 H
what specific offense has been commited
How it was commited
where was the offense committed
when it was commited
why it was commited
Crime Scene Investigation
It is the conduct of processes, more particularly the recognition, search, collection, handling, preservation and
documentation of physical evidence to include the identification and interview of witnesses and-the arrest of
suspect/s at the crime scene.

Upon receipt of a report/complaint of a crime incident, the desk officer shall:

a. Record the time the report/complaint was made, the identity of the person who made the report, place of the
incident and a synopsis of the incident.
b. Inform his superior officer or the duty officer regarding the report.

First Responder – any police officer who first arrives at the crime scene and shall endeavor to protect and secure
the same as follows:
a. Cordon off the crime scene with whatever available materials like ropes, straws, human barricade, police line, if
available, etc.;
b. Evacuate injured persons to the nearest hospital;
c. Prepare to take the “dying declaration” of severely injured person, if any;
d. Prevent entry/exit of persons within the cordoned area; and
e. Prepare to brief the investigators of the situation upon their arrival.
Crime Scene Investigation Proper-

1. Receipt of Briefing and designation of Command Post. The team leader upon arrival at the crime scene receives
the briefing from the first responder and shall immediately designate a command post which is ideally located
adjacent to the scene where the evidence custodian stays and receives the pieces of evidence turned over to him
for safe-keeping by the other evidence collectors.
2. Initiation of Preliminary Survey. The team leader makes a general assessment of the scene, takes a
cautious walk-through of the crime scene, takes down extensive notes to document important factors, and
establishes the evidence most likely to be encountered. He then defines the extent of the search area, and
determines personnel and equipment needed, and makes specific assignments. From his assessments, he develops a
general theory of the crime scene.
3. Preparation of Narrative Report. The team leader uses the systematic approach in making narrative report. No
item is too significant to record if it catches one’s attention.
4. Documentation of the Crime Scene. The photographer begins taking photographs as soon as possible.The
evidence collectors do not touch or move any evidence once it is located until it has been identified, measured,
recorded, and photographed. Sketches supplement the photographs. The best tool in documenting the crime scene
is the use of video camera.
5.Crime Scene Sketches. A rough sketch is prepared indicating the actual measurement of things with scale and
proportion observed and oriented to the North Pole. All necessary information is place in the sketch.
6. Detailed Search. The search for physical evidence is done using the accepted methods of search
depending upon the actual location to be searched.
7. Collection of Physical Evidence. The team leader is always informed of significant evidence located.
The evidence collector shall put his initial, location and date of collection on the item and turn it over to the
evidence custodian for documentation and safekeeping. In cases where the evidence encountered needs special
processing due to significant or sensational cases, the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) specialists of the Crime
Laboratory shall be requested.
8. Conduct of Final Survey. The team leader makes a final review of the crime scene to determine
whether or not the processing has been completed.

9C. Release of the Crime Scene. The release of the crime scene shall be done if the investigator is satisfied that all
pieces of evidence have been recovered. Thus, the investigator must evaluate the items recovered from the results
of interrogation of the suspect/s and the interview of the witnesses. He must bear in mind that upon the formal
release of the crime scene to the proper authority, a warrant is already required for his re-entry to the crime scene.
 9. Release of the Crime Scene. The release of the crime scene shall be done if the investigator is satisfied that
all pieces of evidence have been recovered. Thus, the investigator must evaluate the items recovered from the
results of interrogation of the suspect/s and the interview of the witnesses. He must bear in mind that upon the
formal release of the crime scene to the proper authority, a warrant is already required for his re-entry to the
crime scene.

 Conduct of interview – while the crime scene is being processed, the team leader shall designate other members
to look for witnesses and immediately conduct interview, the assigned investigators shall jot down important
facts for the future reference.

 Arrest of suspect/s – upon arrival at the crime scene, the team leader shall endeavor to arrest the suspect/s if
he is still at the crime scene or the first responder did not arrest the suspect/s. The suspect/s shall be secured
and shall be secured and shall be separated from the other witnesses.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7438 – April 27, 1992
AN ACT DEFINING CERTAIN RIGHTS OF PERSON ARRESTED, DETAINED OR UNDER CUSTODIAL INVESTIGATION AS WELL AS
THE DUTIES OF THE ARRESTING, DETAINING AND INVESTIGATINGOFFICERS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS THEREOF.
Officers. –
section 2
(a) Any person arrested detained or under custodial investigation shall at all times be assisted by counsel.
(b) Any public officer or employee, or anyone acting under his order or his place, who arrest, detains or investigates
any person for the commission of an offense shall inform the latter, in a language known to understood by him, of
his rights to remain silent and to have competent and independent counsel, preferably of his own choice, who shall
at all times be allowed to confer privately with the person arrested, detained or under custodial investigation. If
such person cannot afford the services of his own counsel, he must be provided with a competent and independent
counsel by the investigating officer.
(c) The custodial investigation report shall be reduced to writing by the investigating officer, provided that before
such report is signed, or thumb marked if the person arrested or detained does not know how to read and write, it
shall be read and adequately explained to him by his counsel or by the assisting counsel provided by the
investigating officer in the language or dialect known to such arrested or detained person, otherwise, such
investigation report shall be null and avid and no effect what so ever.
 ARREST:
 All arrest should be made only on the basis of valid warrant of arrest issued by competent authority, except in
cases specified under the doctrine of citizen’s arrest (Sec. 5, Rule 113. Rules on Criminal Procedures).

Arrest is the actual restraint of the person to be arrested or by his submission to the custody of the person making
the arrest. No violence or unnecessary force shall be used in making an arrest, and the person to be arrest shall be
subjected to any greater restraint than is necessary for his detention.

Time of Arrest – as a general rule, arrest may be made on any day at any time of the day or night.
(
Modes of Arrest-
Arrest by Virtue of a Warrant of Arrest –

a. It shall be the duty of the officer executing the warrant to arrest the accused without unnecessary delay and
deliver him to the nearest police station or jail.
b. When making an arrest by virtue of warrant, the officer shall inform the person to be arrested of the cause of
the arrest and of the fact that a warrant has been issued for his arrest, except when he flees or forcibly resist
before the officer has the opportunity to so informed him or when the giving of such information will imperil the
arrest. The officer need not have the warrant in his possession at the time of the arrest but after the arrest, if the
person arrested so requires, the warrant shall be shown to him as practicable.
Duties of Arresting Officer in Case of Arrest without a Warrant:
a. The arresting officer shall inform the subject or suspect, in the dialect or language known to him, why he is
being arrested, and of his right to remain silent and to have a counsel of his own choice, to be informed of his
authority and the cause of arrest, unless the person to be arrested is then engaged in the commission of an offense
or is pursued immediately after its commission or after and escapes; or flees or forcibly resists before the officer
has opportunity to so inform him, or when the giving of such information will imperil the arrest.
b. The arrest person shall be delivered to the proper authorities without unnecessary delay and within the time
prescribed in Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended (12, 18, or 36 hours, as
the case may be).
c. The person arrested without a warrant shall be delivered to the nearest police station or jail, and shall be
subject of inquest proceedings under Section 7, Rule 112 of the 2000 Rules of Criminal Procedures.
d. If the person arrested without a warrant waives his right to remain silent under the provisions of Art125 of the
Revised Penal Code and opts to give a statement and present evidence for his defense, the arresting officer shall
ensure that the waiver made by the person arrested shall in writing and in the presence of his choice.

Physical Examination of Arrested Person/Suspect –

Immediately after the arrest of a person arrested by the court, or of a person ordered arrested by the court, or of a
suspect under investigation, he should be subjected to ma physical examination by a medico-legal officer or, in the
absence of such medico-legal officer by any government physician in the area. Prior to his release or any change of
custody, the suspect shall also be physically examined.
 Prohibitions – No torture, force violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which violates the free will
shall be used against the suspect. Secret detention places solitary confinement (incommunicado) or other similar
forms of detention shall be prohibited.

 Record check –
the officer shall make a record check for the possibility that the arrest person is wanted for crimes other than that
for which the same was arrested.

SEARCH AND SEIZURES:

Search Warrant Defined – it is an order in writing issued in the name of the people of the Philippines, signed by a
judge and directed to a peace officer, commanding him to search for any property described therein and bring it
before the court.
 The Following are the properties subject to seizures:
a. Properties which are the subject of the offense;
b. Stolen, embezzled proceeds, or fruits of the offense;
c. Objects including weapons, equipment, and other items used or intended to be used as the means of committing
an offense;
d. Objects that are illegal per se in plain view.
SEARCH WARRANT WHEN LAWFUL
a. Search incidental to lawful arrest.
C.Search of moving vehicles.
D.Plain view search and seizure.
e. Consented search.
f. Stop and Frisk
G. EXIGENT AND EMERGENCY CIRCUSMTANCES
F search of prohibited materials in the airport
 Chapter 2
Legal medicine
MEDICINE- the science or practice of the diagnosis,treatment, and prevention of
disease.

LEGAL MEDICINE – is a branch of medicine which dealswith the application of

medical knowledge to the purpose of law in the administration of justice.

FORENSIC MEDICINE- Use of medical science to elucidate legal problems in general

without specific reference or application to a particular case. Forensic medicine is a
multi-disciplinary branch which includes the practice of forensic pathology,
forensic psychiatry, forensic dentistry, forensic radiology and forensic
toxicology.

Medico legal examiner

HISTORY OF LEGAL MEDICINE
 HIPPOCRATES – DISCUSSED THE LETTHALITY OF WOUNDS
 ARISTOTLE – FIXED ANIMATION OF FETUS AT THE 40TH DAY AFTER CONCEPTION.
The first “ police surgeon” or forensic pathologist was Antitius. Julius caesarwas murdered and his body
was expose in the furom and atistius performed the autopsy he found out that Julius Caesar suffered from
23 stab wounds and only one penetrarted the chest through space between the first and second ribs.
Justin- in his digesest , made mention that physician is not an ordinary witness and that physician gives
judgement rather than testimony .
Pope innocent III– issued an edict providing for an appointment of doctors in the court for the
determination of wounds
In 1598, Severen Pineau publish in paris a work on VIRGINITY and DEFLORATION. He confirmed the
existence of hymen and it may not rapture during sexual intercourse.
Medico legal aspects of identification

 By comparison- identification criteria recovered during investigation are compared with

records available in the file.

 By exclusion – if two or more person have to be identified then the one whose identity is
not been establish may be known by the process o0f elimination .
Light as a factor of identification

 Clearest moonlight / starlight ; experiments had shown that the best known
person cannot be recognize in the distance greater than 16 to 17 yards and
starlight at a distance 10-13 yards

 Broad daylight – A person can a hardly recognize another person at a

distance farther than one handred yards and twenty five yards of the person
who are nearly starngers.
Cases that needs Medico-legal Attention
• 1.Injuries or Deaths involving persons who have no means of being identified.
• 2. Persons pronounced as “dead on arrival”
• 3. Death under the following circumstances:

a. Death occurring within twenty-four hours (24 hrs.) of admission when

the clinical cause of death is unknown or indeterminate.

b. Unexpected sudden death especially when the deceased was in

apparent good health;

c. Death due to natural disease but associated with physical evidence

suspicious of foul play;

d. Death as a result of violence, accident, suicide or poisoning; and e.

Death due to improper or negligent act of another person.
4. Physical injuries caused by:

a. Gunshot wound; stab wound etc.,

b. Vehicular accident;

c. Asphyxia
;

d. Electrocution, Chemical or Thermal insult;

e. Accident, Attempted, homicide or suicide; and

f. Poisoning

5. Cases of child abuse, domestic violence, rape, alcoholism and drug addiction.

6. Cases involving the mental incompetency of the patient.

MEDICOLEGAL ASPECTS OF DEATH
Death is the termination of life.
It is the complete cessation of all the vital
functions without the possibility of resuscitation.
Dying is a continuing process while death is an
event that takes place at a precise time
The Facts of Death

The first action of an investigator upon arriving at the crimescene of the homicide is the verification of
death.
An individual is said to be dead in the medical sense when
one of the three vital function is no longer performing within the Body:

a.Respiratory system
b.Cardiac Activity
c.Central nervous system activity

3. In the legal sense, death is considered to occur when all of

the three above vital functions have ceased.
CAUSES OF DEATH

 1. Immediate ( Primary ) Cause of Death – this applies to

 cares when trauma or disease kill quickly that there is no opportunity for sequelae
or complications to develop.

 2. The Proximate ( Secondary ) Cause of Death – The injury or disease was survived
for a sufficiently prolonged Interval which permitted the development of serious
sequelae which actually cause the death.
 CLINICAL TYPES OF DEATH

 1.
Sociologic death – experience by patient who are abandoned
and let alone to die. The sense of isolation or abandonment.
 2.
Psychic death – the patient regresses, gives up or surrenders
accepting death prematurely.
 3.Biologic death – characterized by the absence of cognitive
functions or awareness despite of the artificial life support.
 4.Physiologic death – a death when all vital organs cease to
function.
Kinds of death

 Somatic/Clinical Death

 2. Molecular Death

 3. Apparent Death
I. SOMATIC/CLINICAL DEATH

This is the state of the body in which there is complete,

persistent and continuous cessation of the vital
functions of the brain, heart and lungs which maintain
life and health. It occurs the moment a physician or the
other members of the family declare a person has expired,
and some of the early signs of death are present. It is hardly
possible to determine the exact time of death.
 II. MOLECULAR OR CELLULAR DEATH

 After cessation of the vital functions of the body there is still

animal life among individual cells. This is evidence by the
presence of/excitability of muscles and ciliar movements and
other functions of individual cells.

 About three to six hours later, there is death of individual cells.

This is known as molecular or cellular death.
 III. APPARENT DEATH" OR "STATE OF SUSPENDED ANIMATION":

This condition is not really death but merely a transient

loss of consciousness or temporary cessationof the vital
functions of the body on account of disease, external
stimulus or other forms of influence. It may arise
especially in hysteria, uremia, catalepsy and electric
shock.It is important to determine the condition of
suspended animation to prevent premature burial.
 SIGNS OF DEATH

• CESSATION OF HEART ACTION AND CIRCULATION

• CESSATION OF RESPIRATION
• COOLING OF THE BODY (ALGOR MORTIS)
• INSENSIBILITY OF THE BODY AND LOSS OF POWER
 TO MOVE
• CHANGES IN THE SKIN
• CHANGES IN AND ABOUT THE EYE:
• ACTION OF HEAT ON THE SKIN
 CESSATION OF HEART ACTION AND CIRCULATION

There must be an entire and continuous cessation of the heart

action and flow of blood in the whole vascular system. A
temporary suspension of the heart action is still compatible with
life.

As a general rule, if there is no heart action for a period of five

minutes death is regarded as certain.
METHODS OF DETECTING THE CESSATION OF HEART ACTION AND CIRCULATION:

EXAMINATION OF THE HEART:

Palpation of the Pulse - Pulsation of the peripheral blood vessels may be made at the region of the
wrist or at the neck. The pulsation of the vessels is synchronous with the heart beat.
Auscultation for the Heart Sound at the Precordial Area: The rhythmic contraction and relaxation of
the heart is audible through the stethoscope.
Flouroscopic Examination: Fluoroscopic examination of the chest will reveal the shadow of the heart in
its rhythmic contraction and relaxation.
By the Use of Electrocardiograph: The heart beat is accompanied by the passage of electrical charge
through the impulse conducting system of the heart which may be recorded in an electrocardiograph
machine.
EXAMINATION OF THE PERIPHERAL CIRCULATION:
 Magnus'Test - A ligature is applied around the base of a finger with moderate
tightness.
 Icard's Test This consists of the injection of a solution of fluorescein subcutaneously.
If circulation is still present, the dye will spread all over the body and the whole skin
will have a greenish-yellow discoloration due to flourescein. In a dead man, the
solution will just remain at the site of the injection.
 Diaphanous Test - The fingers are spread wide and the finger webs are viewed
through a strong light. In the living, the finger webs appear red but yellow in the
dead.
 Opening of Small Artery
 Pressure on the Fingernails
 Application of Heat on the Skin
 Palpation of the Radial Pulse
 Dropping of Melted Wax
CESSATION OF RESPIRATION
A person can hold his breath for a period not longer than 3-1/2 minutes.
METHODS OF DETECTING CESSATION OF RESPIRATION:
 • Expose the chest and abdomen and observe the movement during inspiration and expiration. •
 Examine the person with the aid of a stethoscope
 • Examination with a Glass of Water Winslow's Test:
 There is no movement of the image formed by reflecting artificial or sun light on the water or
mercury contained in a saucer and placed on the chest or abdomen if respiration is not taking place.
Stages of Death
COOLING OF THE BODY (ALGOR MORTIS)
 After death the metabolic process inside the body ceases, No more heat
is produced but the body loses slowly its temperature by evaporation or
by conduction to the surrounding atmosphere. The progressive fall of
the body temperature is one of the most prominent signs of death. The
fall of temperature of 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit is considered as a
certain sign of death

METHODS OF ESTIMATING HOW LONG A PERSON HAS BEEN DEAD FROM THE
COOLING OF THE BODY:
As a general rule the body attains the temperature of the surrounding air
from 12 to 15 hours after death in tropical countries.
Post mortem caloricity is the rise 0f
temperature of the body after death due
to rapid and early putrifcative changes or
some internal changes . It usually observed
in the first two hours after death.
Post mortem caloricity may occur in the following condition
 Cholera.
 Yellow fever
 Liver abcess
 Peritonitis
 Tetanus
THE ENTIRE MUSCULAR TISSUE PASSES THREE STAGES
AFTER DEATH:
• STAGE OF PRIMARYFLACCIDITY (post-mortem muscular
irritability):
• STAGE OF POST-MORTEM RIGIDITY (Cadaveric rigidity,
or Death struggle of muscles or Rigor Mortis):
STAGE OF SECONDARY FLACCIDITY OR COMMENCEMENT
OF PUTREFACTION (Decay of the muscles):
STAGE OF POST-MORTEM RIGIDITY (CADAVERIC RIGIDITY, OR
DEATH STRUGGLE OF MUSCLES OR RIGOR MORTIS):
 The whole body becomes rigid due to the contraction of the
muscles. This develops three to six hours after death and may
last from twenty-four to thirty-six hours. Three to six hours
after death the muscles gradually stiffen. It usually starts at
the muscles of the neck and lower jaw and spreads downwards
to the chest, arms, and lower limbs. Usually the whole body
becomes stiff after twelve hours.
STAGE OF PRIMARY FLACCIDITY (POST-MORTEM MUSCULAR
IRRITABILITY)
 The Muscles are relaxed and capable of contracting when
stimulated. The pupils are dilated, the sphincters are
relaxed, and there is incontinence of urination and
defecation. To determine whether the muscles are still
irritable, apply electric current and note whether there is
still irritability of the muscles. This stage usually lasts
about 3-6 hours after death. In warm places, the average
duration is 1 hr. and 51 mins
 In the medico-legal view point, post-mortem rigidity may be
utilized to approximate the length of time the body has been
dead.
 In warm countries like the Philippines, rigor mortis sets in from
2 to 3 hours after the death. It is fully developed in the body
after 12 hours. It may last from 18 hours to 36 hours during
summer and 24 to 48 hours during cold weather.
CONDITIONS SIMULATING RIGOR MORTIS:
 HEAT STIFFENING: If the dead body is exposed to temperatures above
75°C it will coagulate the muscle proteins and cause the muscles to be
rigid. The stiffening is more or less permanent and may not be easily
affected by putrefaction.
 COLD STIFFENING: Body is frozen, but exposure to warm condition will
make such stiffening disappear. The cold stiffening is due to the
solidification of fat when the body is exposed to freezing temperature.

 CADAVERIC SPASM OR INSTANTANEOUS RIGOR

THIS IS INSTANTENOUS RIGIDITY OF THE MUSCLE WHICH OCCURS AT THE MOMENT OF DEATH DUE TO EXTREME
NERVOUS, TENSION ,EXHAUSTION AND INJURY TO THE NERVOUS SYSTEM OR INJURY TO THE CHEST. IT IS PRINCIPALLY
DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE LAST VOLUNTARY MOVEMENTNT OF THE MUSCLE DURING LIFE DOES NOT STOP AFTER
DEATH BUT IS CONTINOUS WITH THE ACT OF CADAVERIC RIGIDITY .
 RIGOR MORTIS vs. CADAVERIC SPASM:
Time of Appearance:
Rigor mortis- 3-6 hrs after death,
 Cadaveric Spasm- immediately after death.

 RIGOR MORTIS -USE TO INDICATES HOW LONG THE PERSON HAS BEEN DEAD
 CADAVERIC SPASM-MANNER OF DEATH

Muscles Involved:
 Rigor mortis- all the muscles of the body
 Cadaveric Spasm - only a certain muscle or group of muscles
MEDICO LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE

 RIGOR MORTIS MAY BE UTILIZED BY A MEDICAL JURIS TO APPROXIMATE THE

TIME OF DEATH , WHILE CADAVERIC SPASM MAYBE USEFUL TO DETERMINE THE
NATURE OF THE CRIME .
IN CASE OF CADAVERIC SPASM , WEAPON MAY BE HELD IN
THE HAND BEFORE DEATH AND CAN ONLY BE REMOVED
WITH DIFFICULTY . FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSE IT CANNOT
BE POSSIBLE FOR THE MURDERES OR THE ASSAILANT TO
IMITATE THE CONDITION IN CADAVARIC SPASM , ONLY
GROUP OF MUSCLE ARE INVOLVED AND THEY ARE NOT
SYMMETRICAL.
STAGE OF SECONDARY FLACCIDITY

 AFTETTHE DISAPEARNCE OF RIGOR MORTIS

THE BODY BECOMES SOFT AND FLACCID IT
DOES NOT RESPOND TO MECHANICAL OR
ELECTRICAL STIMULUS. THIS IS DUE TO THE
DISSOLUTION OF THE MUSCLE PROTIEN
WHICH HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY COAGULATED
DURING THE PERIOD OF RIGOR MORTIS.
LIVOR MORTIS
POST MORTEM LIVIDITY/ CADAVERIC LIVIDITY /POST
MORTEM SUGGILATION /POST MORTEM HYPOSTASIS

 THE STOPPAGE OF THE HEART ACTION AND THE LOSS OF TONE OF BLOOD
VESSELS CAUSE THE BLOOD TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GRAVITY. BLOOD
BEGINS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE MOST DEPENDENT PORTION OF THE BODY. THE
CAPPILIARIES COALESCE WITH ONE ANOTHER UNTIL THE WHOLE AREA
BECOMES DULL RED OR PURPLISH IN COLOR KNOWN AS POST-MORTEM
LIVIDITY.
THE LIVIDITY USUALLY APPEARS
THREE TO SIX HOURS AFTER
DEATH AND THE CONDITION
INCREASE UNTIL THE BLOOD
COAGULATE . TWELVE HOURS AFTER
DEATH THE POST MORTEM LIVIDITY
IS ALREADY FULLY DEVELOPE
PUTRIFACTION OF THE BODY
 PUTRIFACTION OF THE BODY –PUTREFACTION BREAKING DOWN OF THE COMPLEX PROTIENS
INTO SIMPLER COMPONENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EVOLUTION OF FOUL SMELLING GASSES AND
ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHANGE OF COLOR OF THE BODY.
Marbolization
 It is the prominence of the superficial viens with reddish discoloration during the
process of decomposition which developes on both flakes of the abdomen root of
thr neck and shoulder and which make the area look like marbled reticule or
bunching vien this is observed easily among dead person with fair complexion.
Factors that modified the rate of putrifaction

a,. Internal factor

1. Age: healthy adult decompose later than infants. it maybe late in
newborn infant who had not been feed
2. Condition of the body : those full grown and highly obese person
decompose more rapidly than the skinny one . Bodies of still born
are usually sterile so decomposition is retarded
3. Cause of death : bodies of a person whose cause of death is due
to infection decomposed rapidly. This is also true when the
diseased condition is accompanied with ansacarca. Bodies when
sudden death is not due to microorganism decompose late
SPECIAL MODIFICATION OF
PUTRIFACTION:
 Mummification is the dehydration of the whole body which results in the shivering and
preservation of the body. It usually occurs when a dead body is buried in a hot, and arid
place with dry atmosphere and with free access of hot air. In most cases, the natural
physical appearance is not modified, hair may be kept intact although there may be
change in color of the skin. The internal organs may be shrunken, hard and with a dark
brown or black color. If the whole fluid contents of the body has evaporated,
preservation is for an indefinite time but the whole body may become brittle, weight
markedly reduced and may later be destroyed by pulverization.
Types of mummification

 1)Natural Mummification; When a person is buried in hot, arid, sand, soil, there will be
insufficient moisture for the growth and multiplication of putrefactive bacteria. The
body will become dehydrated and mummified which is caused by the forces of nature.
 2) Artificial Mummification: The principles involved in artificial mummification are:
(a) Acceleration of the evaporation of the tissue fluid of the body before the actual
onset of decomposition. (b) Addition of some body preservatives to inhibit
decomposition and to allow evaporation of fluid. This is made by treatment of the body
with arsenic, formalin, resinous or tarry materials.
DURATION OF DEATH

In the determination as to how long a person has been dead from the condition of
the cadaver and other external evidences, the following points must be taken into
consideration:
 1. Presence of Rigor Mortis: In warm countries like the Philippines, rigor
mortis sets in from 2 to 3 hours after the death. It is fully developed in the body
after 12 hours. It may last from 18 hours to 36 hours and its disappearance is
concomitant with the onset of putrefaction
 2. Presence of Post-mortem Lividity: Post-
mortem lividity usually develops 3 to 6 hours
after death. It first appears as a small petechia-
like red spots which later coalesce with each
other to involve bigger areas in the most
dependent portions of the body depending upon
the position assumed at the time of death.
3.Onset of Decomposition:
In the Philippines like other tropical
countries, decomposition is early and the
average time is 24 to 48 hours after death. It
is manifested by the presence of watery, foul-
smelling froth coming out of the nostrils and
mouth, softness of the body and presence of
crepitation when pressure is applied on the
skin.
4.Stage of Decomposition: The approximate time of death may
be inferred from the degree of decomposition, although it must
be made with extreme caution. There are several factors which
modify putrefaction of the body. For the stage of
decomposition and the approximate time after death
5. Stage of Digestion of Food in the Stomach: It takes
normally 3 to 4 hours for the stomach to evacuate its contents
after a meal. The approximate time of death may be deduced
from the amount of food in the stomach in relation to his last
meal. This determination is dependent upon the amount of
food taken and the degree of tonicity of the stomach.
a. Size of the Last Meal –
The stomach usually starts to empty within ten minutes after the
first mouthful has entered. A light meal leaves the stomach
within 1-1/2 to 2 hours after being eaten. A medium-sized meal
will require 3 to 4 hours. A heavy meal is entirely expelled into
duodenum in 4 to 6 hours.
AUTOPSIES VS POST-MORTEM
EXAMINATION
Autopsies vs. Post-mortem Examination:
 Post-mortem examination - refers to an external examination of a
dead body without incision being made, although blood and other
body fluids may be collected for examination.
 Autopsy indicates that, in addition to an external examination, the
body is opened and an internal examination is conducted.
Kinds of Autopsies
 a. Hospital or Non-official Autopsy: This is an autopsy
done on a human body with the consent of the deceased
person's relatives for the purposes of:
 (1) determining the cause of death;
 (2) providing correlation clinical diagnosis and clinical
symptoms;
 (3) determining effectiveness of therapy;
 (4) studying the natural course of disease process; and
(5) educating students and physicians
 b. Medico-Legal or Official Autopsy: This is an
examination performed on a dead body for the purposes
of: (1) determining the cause, manner (mode), and time
of death; (2) recovering, identifying, and preserving
evidentiary material; (3) providing interpretation and
correlation of facts and circumstances related to death;
(4) providing a factual, objective medical report for law
enforcement, prosecution, and defense agencies; and (5)
separating death due to disease from death due to
external cause for protection of the innocent
WHEN SHALL AN AUTOPSY BE
PERFORMED IN A DEA BODY : SECT. 95 (B)
 A. whenever required by special law
 B. upon order of component court, a mayor and a provincial or city fiscal
 C upon written request of police authorities
 Whenever the solicitor general, Provincial or city fiscal as authorized by
existing laws, shall deem it necessary to disinter and take possession of the remains
for examination to determine the cause of death; and
 e. Whenever the nearest kin shall request in writing the authorities concerned in order
to ascertain the cause of death.
Persons who are Authorized to Perform Autopsies and Dissections:
The following are authorized to perform autopsies and dissections:

Health Officers;
 a.

 b. Medical officers of law enforcement

agencies; and
 c. Members of the medical staff of accredited
hospitals.
Natural Death - It is natural when the fatality is caused solely by
disease (lobar pneumonia, ruptured tubal pregnancy, cancerous
growth, cerebral hemorrhage due to hypertension, etc.).
Violent or Unnatural Death - Death due to injury of any sort
(gunshot, stab, fracture, traumatic shock, etc.). A physician must
not include in the consideration of the manner of death that such
violent death is suicidal, accidental or homicidal.
 Medico-legal masquerade -Violent deaths may be accompanied
by minimal or no external evidence of injury or natural death where
signs of violence may be present. In a case of homicide, the
medical findings may tend to favor suicide or accidental death, and
visa versa. Cases of such nature infer that the medical examination
and police investigation is far from being complete. There is a need
for further investigation and evaluation to unravel the truth.
Among the diseases wherein there are no specific finding,
pathognomic of a disease still determined are

 1. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Crib Death) - This is the unexpected death
of infants, usually under six months of age, while in apparently good health.
The sudden death cannot be predicted and there is no way to prevent or
foretell on the basis of present knowledge. Although autopsies in some of the
cases revealed the presence of congenital heart disease or abnormality,
contagious disease, nutritional deficiency and other pathological conditions,
no consensus has yet been arrived at as to the definite cause of death.
2. Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death
(SUND) This is known as "pok-kuri" disease in
Japan and "bangungut" in the Philippines. It is
the sudden death of healthy men of young age
seen in East Asian countries. Awareness of
relatives and the prompt delivery of
resuscitation are the only effective means of
treatment.
Accidental Death:

 Death due to misadventure or accident. An accident is something that

happens outside the sway of our will, and although it comes about
through some act of will, lies beyond bounds of human forseeable
consequences. In a pure accidental death, the person who causes the
death is exempted from criminal liability.
 NEGLIGENT DEATH: death due to reckless imprudence , negligence,
lack skills or lack of foresight
Suicidal Death (Destruction of One's Self):

 The law does not punish the person committing suicide because
society has always considered a person who attempts to kill himself
as an unfortunate being, a wretched person deserving more of pity
than of penalty. But, a person who gives assistance to the commission
of suicide of another is punishable because he has no right to. destroy
or assist in the destruction of the life of another .
 Article 253.
Giving assistance to suicide. – Any person who shall assist another to commit suicide shall suffer
the penalty of prision mayor;
Euthanasia or "mercy killing"

 It is the deliberate and painless acceleration of death of a person

usually suffering from an incurable and distressing disease. It is
universally condemned but some advocate its legalization based
on humanitarian sentiments. In the Philippines there is no law
dealing specifically with the matter but the general sentiment is
that it is contrary to the principle that "no person has the right to
end his own life, much less can he delegate such right to another."
Medical ethics states that the duty of a physician is to save life,
not to end it.
Types of Euthanasia:

1.Active Euthanasia Intentional or deliberate application of the

means to shorten the life of a person. It may be done with or without
the consent or knowledge of the person. Active euthanasia on
demand is the putting to death of a person in compliance with the
wishes of the person (patient) to shorten his sufferings.
2. Passive Euthanasia - There is absence of the application of the
means to accelerate death but the natural course of the disease is
allowed to have its way to extinguish the life of a person.
Death from starvation

Starvation or inanition is the

deprivation of a regular and
constant supply of food and water
which is necessary to normal health
of a person
Types o starvation

1. Acute starvation – is when the

necessary food has been suddenly and
completely withheld from a person
2, chronic starvation – is when there is
a gradual or deficient supply of food
Physical injury

 Physical injury-refers to a harm or damage to a person’s body. It can be

caused by accident, violence, or other harmful actions. Physical injury can
range to minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries like broken bones or
internal damage
 HEAT
 ELECTRICAL ENERGY
 CHEMICAL EENRGY
 RADIATION
 CHANGE IN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
 INFECTION
Medico legal aspects of physical injuries

Vital Reaction: It is the sum total of all reactions of tissue or organ to trauma. The
reaction may be observed macroscopically and microscopically. The following are
the common reactions of a living tissue to trauma:
a. "Rubor" Redness or congestion of the area due to an increase of blood supply
as a part of the reparative mechanism.
b. "Calor" Sensation of heat or increase in temperature
c. "Dolor" Pain on account of the involvement of the sensory nerve.
 CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS: to
Severity:
 Mortal Wound - Wound which is caused immediately after infliction or
shortly thereafter that is capable of causing death. Parts of the Body
where the Wounds Inflicted are Considered Mortal: (1)Heart and big
blood vessels. (2) Brain and upper portion of the spinal cord. (3) Lungs.
(4) Stomach, liver, spleen and intestine.
(a) Non-mortal
wound Wound which is not capable of producing death
immediately after infliction or shortly thereafter.
2. As regards to the Depth of the Wound

 a. Superficial - When the wound involves only the layers of the

skin.
 b. Deep When the wound involves the inner structure beyond the
layers of the skin.
Kinds of deep
A.Impenetrating one in which the wounding agent enters the body
but did not come out or the mere piercing of a solid organ or tissue
of the body.
B.Penetrating Wound - Wound where the dimension of depth and direction is an important factor in its
description. It involves the skin or mucous surface and the deeper underlying tissues or organs caused
directly by the wounding instrument. Punctured, stab and gunshot wounds / usually belong to this type
of wound."

C.Perforating - When the wounding agent produces communication between the inner and outer
portion of the hollow organs. It may also mean piercing or traversing completely a particular part of
the body causing communication between the points of entry and exit of the instrument or substance
producing it.
 As regards to the Relation of the Site of the Application of Force and the
Location of Injury:

 a.Coup Injury - Physical injury which is located at the site of the application of
force
 b.Contre-Coup Injury - Physical injury found opposite the site of the application
force.
 c.Coup Contre-Coup Injury - Physical injury located at ule site and also opposite
the site of application of force.
 d. "Locus Minoris Resistencia" Physical injury located not at the site nor opposite
the site of the application of force but in some areas offering the least resistance
to the force applied. A blow on the forehead may cause contusion at the region of
the eyeball because of the fracture on the papyraceous bone forming the roof of
the orbit.
Special Types of Wounds:

 a. Defense Wound - Wound which is the result of a person's instinctive

reaction of self- protection. Injuries suffered by a person to avoid or repel
potential injury contemplated by the aggressor.

 Patterned Wound - Wound in the nature and shape of an object or instrument and which
infers the object or instrument causing it. Impact of the face on the radiator grill of a car
may cause imprint of the radiator grill on the face. A person run over by a wheel of a car,
tire marks are shown on the body. Due to hanging, the nature of the abrasion mark on the
neck may infer material used.
 CLOSED WOUNDS
CLOSED WOUNDS:
1.Petechiae –
Are pinpoint, round spots that form on the skin. They're caused by bleeding, which makes
the spots look red, brown or purple. The spots often form in groups and may look like a
rash. The spots are often flat to the touch and don't lose color when you press on them.

This is a circumscribed extravasation of blood in the subcutaneous tissue or underneath the

mucous membrane. The cause of passage of blood from the capillaries may be due to the
increase intra-capillary pressure or increased permeability of the vessel. The hemorrhage
may be small or pinhead sized but several petechiae may coalesce to form a bigger
hemorrhagic area. Mosquito or other insect bites may cause the formation of circumscribed
hemorrhages.
Petechiae
2.Contusion:

Contusion is the effusion of blood into the tissues

underneath the skin on account of the rupture of the
blood vessels as a result of the application of blunt
force or violence.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE NOTICEABLE COLORS OF THE INJURY FROM THE TIME OF
INFLICTION
A.RED- FRESH
B. BLUE AFTER HRS TO 3 DAYS
C.BLUISH/BLACK/BROWN-4TH DAY
D. GREEN – 5 TO 7 DAYS
E .YELLOW – 7 TO 12 DAYS
F. NORMAL – 2 WEEKS

CONTUSION
3.Hematoma
is the extravasation or effusion of blood in a newly formed cavity
underneath the skin. It usually develops when the blunt instrument is
applied in part of the body where bony tissue is superficially located, like
the head, chest and anterior aspect of the legs. The force applied causes
the subcutaneous tissue to rupture on account of the presence of a hard
structure underneath. The destruction of the subcutaneous tissue will lead
to the accumulation of blood causing it to elevate
OPEN WOUNDS

Abrasion(GASGAS) (Scratch, Graze, Impression Mark, Friction Mark): [ it is an injury

characterized by the removal of the superficial epithelial layer of the skin caused by a
rub or friction against a hard rough surface.! Whenever, there is forcible contact before
friction occurs, there may be contusion associated with abrasion. The shape varies and
the raw surface exudes blood and lymph which later dries and forms a protective
covering known as scab or crust.
Incised Wound
INCISED WOUND(HIWA)- (Cut, Slash, Slice): This is
produced by a sharp-edged (cutting) or sharp- linear edge of
the instrument, like a knife, razor, bolo, edge of oyster shell,'
metal sheet, glass, etc. It may be an impact cut when there is
forcible contact of the cutting instrument with the body
surface, or slice cut when cutting injury is due to the pressure
accompanied with movement of the instrument.
Stab Wound:

Stab wound is produced by the penetration of a sharp-

pointed and sharp edged instrument, like a knjfe, saber,
dagger, scissors. It may involve the skin or mucous surface.
If the sharp edge portion of the wounding instrument is the
first to come in contact with the skin, the wound produced i
an incised wound, but if the sharp- pointed portion first
come in contact, then the wound is a stab wound. As a
general rule, like an incised wound, the edges are clean cut,
regular and distinct.
Punctured wound
is the result of a thrust of a sharp pointed
instrument. The external injury is quite small but
the depth is to a certain degree. It is commonly
produced by an icepick, needle, nail, spear,
stick, thom, fang of animal and hook.
Lacerated Wound
 (Tear, Rupture, Stretch "Putok."): Lacerated wound is a
tear of the skin and the underlying tissues due to forcible
contact with a blunt instrument. It may be produced by a
hit with a piece of wood, iron bar, fist blow, stone, butt of
firearm, or other objects without sharp objects. If the
force applied to a tissue is greater than its cohesive force
and elasticity, the tissue tears and a laceration is
produced.
LACERATION
MUSCULO-SKELETAL INJURIES
SPRAIN -
Partial or complete disruption in the continuity of a muscular or ligamentous support of a joint. It is usually caused by
a blow, kick or torsion force.
DISLOCATION - Displacement of the articular surface of bones entering into the formation of a joint. FRACTURE -
Solution of continuity of bone resulting from violence or some existing pathology.
STRAIN - The over-stretching, instead of an actual tearing or the rupture of a muscle or ligament which may not be
associated with the joint.
SUBLUXATION - Incomplete dislocation.
Death by Asphyxia

Aspyxia -Interference with the process of respiration or the supply of oxygen to the blood or the tissues has been
reduce to normal level

1.Manual strangulation or throttling : this is a form of asphyxia death where by the constricting force applied in
the neck is the hand
SPECIAL FORMS OF STRANGULATION
a. PALMAR STRANGULATION – PALM OF THE FINGER HAND OF THE OFFENDER IS PRESSED INFRONT OF THE NECK
WITHOUT EMPLOYING THE FINGERS . THE PRESSURE MUST BE SUFFIECIENT TO OCCLUDE THE LUMEN OF THE OF THE
WINDPIPE

2. GARROTING –IS A MODE OF JUDICIAL EXECUTION DURING THE 19TH CENTURY OF AND ITS STILL BEING PRACTICED IN
SPAIN AND TURKEY .

3.MUGGING-(Strangle-hold): This is a form of strangulation with the assailant standing at the back and the forearm is applied in
front of the neck. The pressure on the neck is brought about by the pressure of the flexed elbow. Mugging may be the cause of
death in wrestling. The knee may also be used and it will produce the same effect as that of the elbow. The foot or knee may be
applied on the victim's neck.
 4. Compression of the Neck with a Stick; The victim may be forced to place his back behind a post. The assailant with a
piece of stick placed in front of the neck pulls with two hands passing on both sides of the post backwards with sufficient
strength to occlude the trachea.

 C. ASPHYXΙΑ BY SUFFOCATION Asphyxia by suffocation is exclusion of air from the lungs by closure of air openings or
obstruction of the air passageway from the external openings to the air sacs.

SMOTHERING ; THIS IS A FORM OF ASPYXIAL DEATH BY THE CLOSING OF THE EXTERNAL RESPIRATORY
ORIFICESES, EITHER BY THE USE OF THE HAND OR BY SOME OTHER MEANS. THE NOSTRILS AND MOUTH MAY
BE BLOCKED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF FOREIGN SUBSTANCE LIKE MUD, PAPER, CLOTH, ETC.

Overlaying is the most common accidental smothering in children. The children may be suffocated either from the pressure of
the beddings and pillows or from the pressure of unconscious or drunk mother
Gagging The application of materials, usually handkerchief-, linen or other clothing matters to prevent air to have access through
the mouth or nostrils. The pressure might be so severe that it may cause injury to the buccal mucosa arfd teeth. It is homicidal

Plastic bag suffocation- Plastic bags are made of synthetic polyethylene that is transparent, tough and waterproof material
commonly used as a container. Children may place the bag over their head and go down to the face covering the nostrils and
mouth and consequently cause suffocation because of the inability of the children to extricate themselves by tearing it.

ASPHYXIA BY BREATHING IRRESPIRABLE GASES

CARBON MONOXIDE (CARBONIC OXIDE GAS, CO "SILENTKILLER "): Carbon monoxide is formed from the incomplete
combustion of carbon fuel. The fatal carbon monoxide poisoning usually involves burning of wood, oil, coal, kerosene and
charcoal used in heating or cooking, or gasoline engines in cars. Carbon monoxide, is sometimes called the "silent killer", it is a
colorless gas, insoluble in water and alcohol. When inhaled it combines with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin
 HYDROGEN SULFIDE (SULPHURETTED HYDROGEN H2S)

Hydrogen sulfide is formed during a decomposition process of organic substances containing sulphur. It is found in large
quantities in a sewer, septic tanks, drainage pipes, and deep wells. It may be a by-product in some industries, like tannery, rayon
factories, petroleum refineries, sulfur dye work, etc.. It is a colorless, transparent gas, sweetish taste and emiting an odor similar to
a rotten egg. The gas is soluble in water to form carbonic acid and it burns in the air with a pale blue flame.

SULFUR DIOXIDE:
Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas, which is heavier than air and with pungent odor. It is employed as a disinfectant, as a bleaching
agent, a powerful reducing agent, and found usually in eruption of volcanoes. The gas produces irritation of the respiratory
passage, thus causes sneezing, coughing, spasm of the glottis and suffocation.
MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS OF SEX CRIMES
VIRGINITY AND DEFLORATION
A. Virginity is a condition of a female
who has not experienced sexual
intercourse and whose genital organs have
not been altered by carnal connection.
2. Physical Virginity - A condition whereby a
woman is conscious of the nature of the sexual
life but has not experienced sexual intercourse.
The term applies to women who have reached
sexual maturity but have not experienced sexual
intercourse.
A.True Physical Virginity A condition wherein the hymen is intact with
the edges distinct and regular and the opening small to barely admit the
tip of the smallest finger of the examiner e. n if the thighs are separated.

b. False Physical Virginity A condition wherein the hymen is unruptured

but the orifice is wide and elastic to admit two or more fingers of the
examiner with a lesser degree of resistance. The hymen may be laxed
and distensible and may have previous sexual relation. In this particular
instance the physician may not be able to make a convincing conclusion
that the subject is virgin.
 3.Demi-Virginity This term refers to a conditione a woman
who permits any form of sexual liberties as long as they
abstain from rupturing the hymen by sexual act. The woman
may be embraced, kissed, may allow her breasts to be
fondled, her private organ to be held and other lascivious acts.
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" - Literally the term refers to a truy virgin
woman; that there are no structural changes in her organ to
infer previous sexual intercourse and that she is a virtuous
woman. Inasmuch as there are no conclusive evidences to
prove the existence of such condition, liberal authorities
extend the connotation of the term to include women who
have had previous sexual act or even habitually but had
not given birth.
Virginity is Not Synonymous with Chastity: A woman
may resort to many forms of homosexual as well as
heterosexual practices without losing her virginity, yet
she may be unchaste. A woman may have a ruptured
hymen and other signs of loss of physical virginity, yet
she is chaste. She may resort to masturbation with rupture
of the hymen and dilatation of the vaginal canal causing it
to appear that she has had several sexual intercourses, yet
she may still be a virgin.
 Classification of breast
Hemispherical
Conical
PENDELOUS
WHAT IS CHASTITY

CHASTITY IS A STATE OF PRACTICE

IN REFRAINING FROM ALL SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE
HYMEN

Hymen is a thin piece of tissue located at the opening of

the vagina. The hymen needs to be open to allow
menstrual blood and normal secretions to exit the vagina.
Hymens come in different shapes. Types.
CLASSIFICATION OF HYMEN

 ANNULAR -Annular or crescent-shaped hymen: These are considered the typical shapes
of the hymen.
INFANTILE HYMEN
SEMI-LUNAR OR CRESENTRIC HYMEN-
CRIBRIFORM MHYMEN-A cribriform hymen is a rare condition in which a
girl's hymen, the thin membrane across the opening of her vagina, has many small holes in
it. This type of hymen typically lets menstrual and other fluids out but may cause problems
with tampon use, pelvic examination and, later in life, sexual activity.
LINEAR HYMEN
IMPORFORATE -A half moon of thin membrane normally surrounds the opening of a
young girl's vagina. In the case of an imperforate hymen, a membrane extends all the way across the

area of the hymen, blocking the vaginal opening. It is easily corrected through a minor surgery .