Autopsy
Autopsy
IDENTIFICATION
Body Identified By
Papers/ID Tag
EXTERNAL DESCRIPTION
Length 71 inches
Weight 261 pounds
Body Condition Intact
Rigor Present
Livor Posterior
Hair Dark, braided into dreads
Eyes Brown, 6 mm pupils
Teeth Natural
These are the remains of a robust appearing young male clothed only in a pair of white mesh nylon boxer shorts. He has
several tattoos present that include a cross with some clouds on the right upper arm and then, vertically oriented,
"Jesus." On the left upper arm/shoulder area is a figure holding up the world; above it is inscribed "The World is Mine"
and below that "Atlas." A vertically oriented tattoo "Saves" is present running down the left arm. He is circumcised.
EKG electrodes are present on the body. There is no edema of the lower extremities.
INJURIES
No evidence of trauma either external or internal is present.
PROCEDURES
Radiographs
None
Microbiology
None
Chemistry
Vitreous sample obtained for electrolytes.
Blood sent for hemoglobin electrophoresis
Special Evidence Collection
Blood stain sample obtained.
INTERNAL EXAMINATION
Body Cavities
The pleural, peritoneal and pericardial cavities are unremarkable without evidence of inflammation, exudation or
hemorrhage. The organs all lie in a normal relationship.
Cardiovascular System
Heart Weight 410 grams
The coronary arteries show a normal distribution and only some minimal atherosclerotic streaking. The right coronary
supplies the posterior septum. All lumens are clear. The myocardium is reddish-brown without any areas of
discoloration or thinning. There is no dilatation of the left or right ventricles. There is no fatty infiltration. The valves
are normally formed. The aorta and its major branches are without atherosclerosis or anomaly.
Respiratory System
Right Lung Weight 820 grams
Left Lung Weight 700 grams
The lungs are mildly hyperinflated. On section they do not collapse. There is congestion and prominent edema. There is
a slight excess of mucous present within the smaller bronchi. No areas of consolidation are noted. The pulmonary
arteries are free of clot. The trachea is unremarkable. There is no edema of the epiglottis or larynx. The tongue is
unremarkable. The hyoid bone and thyroid cartilages are intact.
Gastrointestinal System
The GI tract is intact throughout its length. The appendix is present. The stomach contains a small amount of grayish
fluid. No particulate matter is noted. There is a slight greenish tint to the small bowel and there are foci of grayish-green
semi-liquid content.
Liver
Liver Weight 1850 grams
The liver is reddish-brown without accentuation of the lobular architecture. The gallbladder contains bile and the
extrahepatic system is intact.
Spleen
Spleen Weight 220 grams
There is mild prominence of the follicles.
Pancreas
The pancreas is autolyzed but appears within normal limits.
Urinary
Right Kidney Weight 160 grams
Left Kidney Weight 170 grams
The cortical surfaces are smooth. There is a clear corticomedullary demarcation. The ureters are intact. The bladder
contains approximately 40 cc of clear urine.
Reproductive
MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION
Cardiovascular
No acute ischemic change or inflammation noted in the heart sections.
Respiratory
Some alveoli contain red cells. The bronchi show thickening of the basement membranes and there are numerous
eosinophils in the peribronchial tissues. Overall there is an increase in the volume of peribronchial mucous glands.
Mucous is present in some small bronchi but plugging is not evident.
Liver
Unremarkable
Hematologic
Spleen is congested.
Genitourinary
Kidney is unremarkable.
Endocrine
Thyroid is unremarkable. Adrenal is thin but both medulla and cortex are present. There is some autolysis.
Neurologic
Brain sections are unremarkable.
Musculoskeletal
Section of neck strap muscle shows some variation in the size of the fibers but is within normal limits.
Autopsy examination revealed no evidence of any physical trauma. The heart was of normal size for his build. There was
no coronary disease or abnormalities of the coronary distribution. There was no evidence of any intracerebral
pathology. The lungs were congested, edematous and mildly hyperexpanded. Microscopically there were changes
typical for reactive airway disease, asthma, but no evidence of mucus plugging. Vitreous electrolyte studies were within
normal limits with no findings indicative of dehydration. A hemoglobin electrophoresis showed 96.7 % hemoglobin A
and no abnormal hemoglobins.
Screens on blood for common drugs and medications were negative. Reportedly bottles of water and gatorade were
found adjacent to the body. There were no medication containers present. There is no history of drug or medication use
other than the aforementioned asthma inhaler.
No definite explanation for this young mans death is evident at autopsy. The history of a prior cramping episode and
that similar symptoms have occurred in relatives raises the possibility of an inherited disorder of metabolism affecting
muscle function although those presenting at this age are not ordinarily fatal. It may be that there are
multiple factors involved. He may have become relatively dehydrated with the resulting fluid and electrolyte imbalances
causing the cramping, the resulting agitation precipitating a fatal cardiac event or even an acute asthmatic attack.
There is no evidence that his death was due to other than natural causes.
DIAGRAMS
1. Adult (front/back)
APPENDICES
1. Fluid chemistry
2. Hemoglobinopathy/Thalassemia