Overview Asphyxia is a lack of oxygen or an excess of carbon dioxide in the body usually caused by interruption of breathing or insufficient oxygen supply. It stems from the greek word ‘Asphyxua’ which means ‘a lack of pulsation’. In…
Overview Trauma is bodily harm with or without structural alterations, resulting from interaction with physiochemical agents that impart energy to tissues. They may cause apparent damage (wound) or produce physiological imbalance (e.g. cardiac arrest by neural stimulation) and secondary effects…
Definition of terms Term Definition Disaster Normal conditions of existence are disrupted and the level of suffering exceeds the capacity of the hazard-affected community to respond to it. In the context of DVI, it is an unexpected event causing the…
Exhumation is the lawful disinterment of a buried body from its grave. Magistrates can order for exhumation and subsequent examination of the dead body. There is no limit fixed for disinterment in Kenya.
Overview Transportation injuries encompass a wide range of incidents including injuries on roads (greatest contributor), railways, and aviation accidents. Forensic pathology plays a crucial role in investigating and understanding the causes and effects of injuries sustained in transportation-related incidents. Road…
Overview The determination of the time of death or post-mortem interval (time elapsed since death) is important in criminal and civil situations as it can tell us when a crime was committed. Unfortunately, all of the methods being currently used…
Post Rape Care (PRC) Form Overview It is a medical document filled when attending to the survivor. The form allows space for history taking, documentation, and examination. It facilitates the filling of the P3 form by ensuring that all relevant details are available and were taken…
Overview Post-mortem changes (PMC) constitute the natural progression of the body’s decomposition after death, beginning at the cellular level. Classification Postmortem changes Immediate Early Late Insensibility Algor mortis (post-mortem cooling) Autolysis Cessation of respiration Rigor mortis (post-mortem rigidity) Putrefaction Cessation of…
