Legal Med
Legal Med
Legal Medicine
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How is temperature in the body regulated?
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Thermoregulation
● conserving body temperature
Hypothalamus
● part of the brain
● coordinate information regarding
body temperature changes
● effect:
○ sweating
○ shivering
○ muscles in the follicles raise
the hairs
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AboutCONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL this template
Thermal injuries
● caused by appreciable deviation from normal temperature
○ Cold
○ Heat
● capable of producing cellular or thermal changes in the body
● normal body temperature: 37C
Thermal death
● primarily caused by thermal injuries
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Hypothermia
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About
DEATH this template
OR INJURY FROM COLD
LOCAL EFFECTS
Frostbite
Immersion foot
Trench foot
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About
DEATH this template
OR INJURY FROM COLD
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About
DEATH this template
OR INJURY FROM COLD
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About
DEATH this template
OR INJURY FROM COLD
SYSTEMIC EFFECTS
● Reduced blood flow to the brain
○ slowing down of respiration, heart action, metabolic processes
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Autopsy findings of a person suspected to die of hypothermia
● Post mortem lividity is bright red in color due to non dissociation of oxyhemoglobin
● Body is extremely cold
● Presence of irregular red patches in the skin of the trunk and limbs
● Body is completely stiff
● Rigor mortis develops after
● Gangrene of fingers and toes seen due to extreme vasoconstriction
● Putrefaction is delayed
● Congestion of internal organs with packing of blood cells in small vessels
● Small submucosal gastric and duodenal haemorrhages
● Degenerative foci in myocardium
● Liver, spleen and kidneys shows droplets of fat
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About
DEATH this template
OR INJURY FROM HEAT
LOCAL EFFECTS
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About
DEATH this template
OR INJURY FROM HEAT
SCALD
● produced by liquids at or near boiling
point or from steam
● severity of injury depends primarily on
temperatüre and duration of exposure
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About
DEATH this template
OR INJURY FROM HEAT
DRY BURN
● caused by dry heat such as flame
● involves dry clothes & hair
● soot in air passage
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About this
Classification template
of Burn by Degree
Dupuytren Classification
Sixth degree charring of the limb involving subjacent tissues, organs and bone
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Dry Burns Scald
Cause Dry heat (flame, heated solid, Moist heat (boiling water)
radiant heat)
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About
DEATH this template
OR INJURY FROM HEAT
SYSTEMIC EFFECTS
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About
DEATH this template
OR INJURY FROM HEAT
Heat Cramps
○ a.k.a. Miner’s cramps, Fireman’s cramp, Stoker’s cramp
○ painful spasm of the voluntary muscle which follows strenuous exercise
in hot humid atmosphere
○ due to dehydration and excessive loss of chlorides by sweating
○ mortality rate is negligible
Heat Exhaustion
○ condition of collapse without elevation of body temperature
○ follows after a prolonged exposure to excessive heat
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About
DEATH this template
OR INJURY FROM HEAT
Heat Stroke
○ a.k.a. Sunstroke, Heat Hyperpyrexia, Thermic Fever
○ cause by overheating of the body
○ as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high
temperatures
○ impaired functioning of heat regulating mechanism causes failure
of cutaneous circulation and sweating
○ rupture of skin, muscles, or destruction of limbs or skull
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About this
DEATH FROMtemplate
HEAT
Neurogenic Shock
Hypovolemic Shock
Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
Secondary infection
Asphyxia/ Loss of oxygen
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About this
DEATH FROMtemplate
HEAT
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Aboutvs
Antemortem this template Burns
Postmortem
Antemortem Postmortem
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CHEMICAL INJURIES
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About this template
Chemical Burns
Blistering Absent
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About this template
Chemical Burns
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PHYSICAL INJURIES OR DEATH
BY LIGHTNING
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What happens when you get
struck by lightning?
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About this
INJURIES template
BY LIGHTNING
Lightning
is an electrical discharge from cloud to earth through an object
passage from a thunder cloud to the earth of a direct electric current
about 20,000 amperes and 100-1000 million or higher volts
a flash lasts for 1/1000th of a second
energy is liberated → converted into heat
capable of producing injury to the human body
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About this
INJURIES template
BY LIGHTNING
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CAUSESAbout this template
OF DEATH BY LIGHTNING
Death is due:
● electro-thermal injuries
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CAUSESAbout this template
OF DEATH BY LIGHTNING
Post-Mortem Findings
External Internal
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About this
INJURIES template
BY LIGHTNING
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About this
INJURIES template
BY LIGHTNING
Lightning conducts along the surface rather than through the building so the
people inside the building remains safe
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About this
SAFETY template
PRECAUTION
1. Stay indoor
2. Take shelter under buildings
3. Avoid standing in open doors or windows or near fire places with open
chimneys
4. Electrical equipment should be avoided or turned off
5. Metal articles should be avoided
6. If outside, should stand under short trees as it will affect the taller trees first
7. Never stand under isolated tree
8. Get inside your car
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PHYSICAL INJURIES OR DEATH
BY ELECTRICITY
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About this template
ELECTROCUTION
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About this template
ELECTROCUTION
Electric Burns
1. Contact Burns
● close contact with electrically live object with domestic voltage
● damage varies from small and superfİcial injury to charing
2. Spark Burns
● contact is not good
● only a spark is produced
3. Flash Burns
● contact with very high voltage lines (more than 1000 volts)
● example: linemen working on grid system or thieves stealing
copper wires
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About this template
ELECTROCUTION
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About this template
ELECTROCUTION
Autopsy Findings
● depth is greater than the surface appearance suggest
● dry, hard to touch and do not bleed
● effect of heat is from inside not outside due to conversion of electricity into
heat within the tissues
● lesion appears both at the point of entry and exit.
● lesion varies from no visible mark— pinpoint lesion or small blister to heat
coagulation —to different stages of burning-to complete charring
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Thank you!
44
University of Cebu
College of Criminal Justice
Legal Medicine
2
AboutCONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL this template
Baro-
● meaning pressure
Barotrauma
● damage to body
● due to changes in pressure of air or water
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Barotrauma
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Hyperbarism vs Hypobarism
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About this template
HYPERBARISM
HYPERbaric conditions
Conditions in which the external pressure is greater than at sea level
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About this template
HYPERBARISM
HYPERbarism
The hyperbaric environment increases the pressure of the gases inside the
body, especially the gases inside the lungs
These high pressures can cause alterations in the normal function of the
body and can be dangerous
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About this template
HYPERBARISM
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About this template
HYPERBARISM
HYPERbarism
signs and symptoms
Feeling of euphoria
Nitrogen narcosis
Cerebral anoxia
Muscular cramp
Physical injuries
Effects of barotraumas in pre-existing medical condition
Air emboli
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About this template
HYPERBARISM
Postmortem Findings
1. If death has been immediate
○ Subcutaneous emphysema, generalized visceral congestion and
the presence of gas bubbles.
○ Extra-vascular bubbles and hemorrhages in adipose tissues, like the
mesentery and omentum
2. If death occurred after a lapse of several days
○ Degeneration and softening of the white matter of the spinal cord
○ Fat necrosis of the liver
○ Osteonecrosis
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Hyperbarism vs Hypobarism
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About this template
HYPOBARISM
HYPObaric conditions
When a person ascends at a higher altitude, the pressure around them greatly
decreases
Altitudes of 1,500m or more causes alteration in the normal function of the body
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About this template
HYPOBARISM
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ASPHYXIA
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About CONSIDERATION
GENERAL this template
Asphyxia
the lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body
Death by Asphyxia
applied to all forms of violent death which results primarily from lack of oxygen
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Signs of Asphyxia
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Barcroft’s/ Gordon’s Classification
1. Anoxic Anoxia
○ failure of the blood to get enough oxygen due to decrease supply
○ ex: breathing in areas with low oxygen
2. Anemic Anoxia
○ failure of the blood to carry oxygen
○ ex: anemia
3. Stagnant Anoxia
○ failure of the blood to circulate (cannot distribute oxygen)
4. Histotoxic Anoxia
○ failure of the cells needed for oxygen consumption to function
○ ex: cyanide poisoning
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Causes of Asphyxia
Hanging
Strangulation
Suffocation
Submersion or Drowning
Compression Asphyxia
Breathing Irrespirable Gas
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Hanging
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About this template
HANGING
Asphyxia by Hanging
It is a type of violent death brought about by the
suspension of the body by a ligature
which encircles the neck and the constricting force is the weight of the body.
There is pressure present in front or in the side of the neck
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About this template
HANGING
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About this template
HANGING
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About this template
HANGING
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Strangulation
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About this template
STRANGULATION
Asphyxia by Strangulation
A type of violent asphyxia where there is constriction around the neck BUT the
constrictor force being other than the weight of the body
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About this template
STRANGULATION
2. Manual Strangulation
○ aka Throttling
○ use of human hands
○ the constricting force applied in the neck
is the hand
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Suffocation
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About this template
SUFFOCATION
Asphyxia by Suffocation
A type of violent asphyxia caused by obstruction of the passage of air into the
lungs
by obstruction of external respiratory openings due to
pressure over the neck structures
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About this template
SUFFOCATION
External Obstruction
Internal Obstruction
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About this template
SUFFOCATION
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About this template
SUFFOCATION
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Compression
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About this template
COMPRESSION ASPHYXIA
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About this template
COMPRESSION ASPHYXIA
Asphyxia by Compression
Burking
● combination of smothering & traumatic
asphyxia
● the murderer kneels or sits on the chest, and
with their hands, closes the nostrils and
mouth of the victim
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About this template
COMPRESSION ASPHYXIA
Asphyxia by Compression
Crucifixion
● death is due to difficulty of chest movement
○ hyper-expansion of the chest muscles and lungs
resulting to difficulty in breathing
○ exhaustion, or have his feet supported by tying or by a
wood block
○ unconsciousness and death
● classified as traumatic asphyxia
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Drowning
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About thisOR
SUBMERSION template
DROWNING
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About thisOR
SUBMERSION template
DROWNING
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About thisOR
SUBMERSION template
DROWNING
External Appearance
The clothing is wet.
Skin appears goose-skin - cutis anserine
Skin of hands and feet appears shriveled and pale-
washerwoman's hands
Post mortem lividity confined to the part facing the
water
Rigor mortis sets in early
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About thisOR
SUBMERSION template
DROWNING
Internal Findings
1. Lungs
○ voluminous, bulky and edematous
○ ballooned appearance with rib markings
○ pits on pressure
○ oozing of large quantity of frothy fluid indicating active respiration
○ algae mud sand debris in distal airways
2. Heart
○ may be emptied or filled with blood
○ right side may be distended with blood while left may be emptied
○ if drowning in salty water, blood chloride content is greater in the left side than
right side, but if it is fresh water, the result is opposite
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About thisOR
SUBMERSION template
DROWNING
Internal Findings
3. Stomach
○ plenty of fluid and other foreign materials
○ absence of water shows death is rapid or submersion is made after death
4. Brain
○ congested and big blood vessels are engorged
5. Blood
○ blood becomes dark red
○ hemodilution - reduction of hemoglobin
○ red cells may be deformed
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About thisOR
SUBMERSION template
DROWNING
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About thisOR
SUBMERSION template
DROWNING
Drowning Tests
Gettler Test / Chloride Test
Quantitative determination of the chloride content of the blood in the right and
left ventricle of the heart
helps in differentiating salt water from fresh water drowning.
normal value of chloride - 600 mg/100ml in both chambers
seawater drowning - 30 to 40% increase of the chloride level in LEFT ventricle
freshwater drowning chlorides will be 50%less than normal
A difference of 25%in chloride between the two chambers is significant.
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Breathing
Irrespirable
Gases
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AboutIRRESPIRABLE
BREATHING this template GASES
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AboutIRRESPIRABLE
BREATHING this template GASES
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AboutIRRESPIRABLE
BREATHING this template GASES
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AboutIRRESPIRABLE
BREATHING this template GASES
5. SULFUR DIOXIDE
○ colorless gas, heavier than air and with pungent odor
○ used as disinfectant, bleaching agent
○ irritation of the respiratory passage causes sneezing, coughing, spasm
of the glottis and suffocation
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AboutIRRESPIRABLE
BREATHING this template GASES
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AboutIRRESPIRABLE
BREATHING this template GASES
6. Blood Poisons
○ Hydrocyanic Acid
○ Hydrogen Sulfide
○ Carbon Monoxide
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DEATH OR PHYSICAL INJURIES
DUE TO AUTOMOTIVE CRASH OR
ACCIDENT
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About this template
AUTOMOTIVE ACCIDENT
First Collision Impact of the moving vehicle with another vehicle or fixed
(vehicle) object
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About this
First template
Collision
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About this
Second template
Collision
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About this template
AUTOMOTIVE ACCIDENT
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Rear seat occupant
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About this template
AUTOMOTIVE ACCIDENT
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About this template
AUTOMOTIVE ACCIDENT
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About this template
AUTOMOTIVE ACCIDENT
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About this template
AUTOMOTIVE ACCIDENT
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About this template
AUTOMOTIVE ACCIDENT
Ejection of Occupant
● ejection of the occupant out of the door
● person may hit the ground
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About this template
PEDESTRIAN-VEHICLE COLLISION
PEDESTRIAN-VEHICLE COLLISION
Primary Impact
● first contact between the pedestrian and the motor vehicle
● depends on the location of the impact
○ if the contact is below the center of gravity
■ body moves backward to hit the hood, windshield or the top of the car
■ most common site of the impact is the upper portion of the leg
○ if the contact is above the center of gravity
■ the body moves away from the vehicle and fall on the ground
● fracture of the leg after the first impact is called bumper fracture
Second Impact
● subsequent impact of the pedestrian to the ground after the first impact
● results in multiple abrasions and contusions
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About this template
PEDESTRIAN-VEHICLE COLLISION
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About this template
MOTORCYCLE CRASH
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Thank you!
65
University of Cebu
College of Criminal Justice
Legal Medicine
2
AboutCONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL this template
CHILD ABUSE
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AboutCONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL this template
CHILD ABUSE
physical and mental injury or maltreatment of a child
by a person who is responsible for the child's welfare
under circumstances which will indicate
that the child's health or welfare is harmed or threatened thereby.
The infliction must be willful and not accidental
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AboutCONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL this template
Physical Abuse
● Involves the use of instrument or fist blow
● May include the act of physical or emotional persuasion that forces or places
the child in a potentially dangerous situation
Physical Neglect
● Failure to provide the child with necessities of life
● The failure to provide must be willful
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About thisOF
CLASSIFICATION template
CHILD ABUSER
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About
Social Reaction tothis template
Child Abuse and Neglect
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About
Social Reaction tothis template
Child Abuse and Neglect
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MEDICO-LEGAL
ASPECT OF SEX CRIME
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AboutVirginity
this template
Virginity
● is a condition of a female who has not experienced sexual intercourse and
whose genital organs have not been altered by carnal connection.
Hymen
● Thin fold of mucus membrane at the external orifice of vagina
“Virtuous female”
● a woman who is pure and who has never had any sexual intercourse with
another, even though her mind and heart is impure
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About
Kindsthis template
of Virginity
Moral Virginity
○ the state of not knowing the nature of sexual life and not having
experienced sexual relation
○ applies to children below the age of puberty and whose sex organs
and secondary sex characters are not yet developed
Virgo Intacta
○ Literally the term refers to a truly virgin woman
○ There are no structural changes in her organ to infer previous sexual
intercourse
○ She is a virtuous woman
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About
Kindsthis template
of Virginity
Physical Virginity
○ a woman is conscious of the nature of the sexual life but has not
experienced sexual intercourse
○ applies to women who have reached sexual maturity but have not
experienced sexual intercourse
○ True or False virginity
Demi Virginity
○ Condition of a woman who permits any form of sexual liberties as long
as they abstain from rupturing the hymen by sexual act.
○ “Engage in all forms of sex (even anal) except penetration of the vagina
that may lead to the destruction of the hymen”
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About this template
Defloration
Defloration
is the laceration or rupture of the hymen as a result of sexual intercourse
other lacerations of the hymen which are not caused by sexual act are not
considered as defloration.
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About
Death this to
Related template
Sexual Act
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About
Death this to
Related template
Sexual Act
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About
Death this to
Related template
Sexual Act
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RAPE
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About this
Rapetemplate
CARNAL KNOWLEDGE
● 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
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About this
Rapetemplate
1. Deprival of Reason
● Rape committed on insane or mentally deficient woman
○ victim: woman, 14 years of age, feeble-minded and can only speak monosyllables
○ sexual intercourse with insane woman
○ BUT, sexual intercourse with a deaf-mute woman is not rape in the absence of proof
that she is an imbecile
○ proof of mental condition of the victim by medical findings of the physician
● Rape committed while the woman is under the influence of alcohol or other
depressant drugs
● Sexual act on a woman under the influence of sex stimulating drugs
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About this
Rapetemplate
21
About this
Rapetemplate
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About this
Rapetemplate
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SEDUCTION
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About this template
Seduction
Seduction
the act of a man enticing women to have unlawful intercourse with him by
means of persuasion, solicitation, promises, bribes, or other means without
employment of force
There are two kinds of seduction punishable under the Revised Penal Code:
1. Qualified seduction
2. Simple seduction
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About this template
Seduction
Simple Seduction
Seduction of a woman who is single or a widow of good reputation, over 16 but
under 18 years old, committed by means of deceit
Elements:
● There must be sexual intercourse
● The sexual act was committed by means of deceit
○ Deceit: fraudulent and cheating misinterpretation (promise of marriage, etc.).
● Virginity is not an element is simple seduction.
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About this template
Seduction
Qualified Seduction
Seduction of a virgin over 12 and under 18 years of age committed by a person in
public authority, priests, house servant, domestic, guardian or any person who, in any
capacity, shall be entrusted with the woman seduced
● Ordinary
○ committed by any person who, in any capacity, shall be entrusted with the
woman seduced
○ Elements:
■ The offended party must be a virgin
■ The offended party must be over 12 but under 18
■ There must be sexual intercourse between the offender and
offended party
■ The sexual act was done through abuse of authority and confidence
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About this template
Seduction
● Incestuous
○ This includes seduction wherein there is blood relationship
○ In this type of seduction, the woman seduced need not be a virgin or may be
more than 18 years of age
○ Elements:
■ Sexual act between the offender and offended party
■ Ascendant who seduces their descendant
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ACTS OF LASCIVIOUSNESS
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About
Acts this template
of Lasciviousness
Acts of Lasciviousness
acts which tend to excite lust; conduct which is wanton, lewd, voluptuous or lewd
emotion
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About
Acts this template
of Lasciviousness
Elements
● The offender commits any act of lasciviousness
● The lascivious act is done under any of the following circumstances
○ by using force and intimidation
○ by depriving her of her reasons or otherwise unconscious
○ when a woman is under 12 years of age
○ the offended party must be a person of either sex
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ABDUCTION
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About this template
Abduction
Abduction
the carrying away of a woman by the abductor with lewd design
Lewd design
is the intent of the abductor to have sexual intercourse with the woman abducted
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About this template
Abduction
Forcible Abduction
● The victim abducted is a woman
● The abduction is against her will
● The abduction is with lewd design (desire to have sex)
Consented Abduction
● The offended party must be a virgin
● Must be over 16 but under 18
● Carrying away of the offended party with her consent
● Taking away is with lewd design
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ADULTERY & CONCUBINAGE
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About this
Adultery template
& Concubinage
Adultery
committed by any woman who shall have sexual intercourse with a man not her
husband and by the man who has carnal knowledge of her, knowing her to be married,
even if the marriage be subsequently declared void
Elements
● The woman is married
● She has sexual intercourse with a man not her husband
● The man whom she had sexual intercourse knows her to be married (Paramore)
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About this
Adultery template
& Concubinage
Concubinage
Any husband who shall keep a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or shall have
sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with a woman who is not his
wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place
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PROSTITUTION
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About this template
Prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitutes are women who, for money or profit, habitually indulge in sexual
intercourse or lascivious conduct (Art. 202, No. 5, Revised Penal Code).
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About this template
Prostitution
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About this template
Prostitution
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About this template
Prostitution
Types of Prostitutes:
1. Call Girl — Receives telephone calls from the selected group of customers
2. Hustler —
a. Bar or tavern "pick-up" — frequent places where liquor is sold,
sometimes with the knowledge of the management
b. Street walker — She finds her customers in various places and makes
the contact herself
3. Door Knocker — A newcomer in the field of prostitution. She frequents small
hotels and furnished rooms or roams in the hall room of these places.
4. Factory Girl — She works in regular house of prostitution. She accepts all
comers and has nothing to do with the selection and solicitation of customers.
She is under the direct supervision of a " madam" or " mama-san"
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Thank you!
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