Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
OF THE BODY OF
WICKER, DARNELL T ME-16-1130
A post mortem examination of the body identified by the Jefferson County
Deputy Coroner as Darnell T. Wicker is performed at the Bingham Building on August 9,
2016 at 7:45 a.rn. by Dr. Darius Arabadjief. Attendant is Chris Holsclaw. Pathology
resident, Dr. Patrick Greenwell, is also present during this examination.
EXTERIOR OF THE BODY
The body is received clad in a blood-soaked black T-shirt, bloody blue denim
jeans, bloody black shorts and one black shoe on each foot. There is an electrical cord
that is looped through the belt loops and knotted in the front, which is being used as a
belt. There are multiple perforations in the black T-shirt, the blue denim jeans and the
black shorts, which correspond to gunshot wounds that will be described below. Soot or
stippling is not present on the clothing. During removal of the black shorts, a markedly
deformed, gray metal projectile with yellow metal jacket falls out into the body bag. This
projectile corresponds to a projectile pathway to be described below in "Injuries". The
hands are received covered by brown paper bags. There are a few tears present in the bag
on the right hand. There is a large tear in the bag on the left hand.
The body is that of a normally-developed, normally-nourished, black man
appearing to be older than the offered age of 57 years. The body has a measured height of
67" and a weight of 170 pounds. The scalp hair is black to gray, curly and measures up to
3
/4". The pupils and irides are difficult to visualize due to slight corneal clouding. There is
bilateral arcus senilis artifact. There is faint, brown, linear, transverse drying of the bulbar
conjunctivae, consistent with tache noire artifact. The nose and ears are free of deformity.
There is dried blood present over the face. The natural anterior dentition is in poor repair
with numerous remotely absent teeth from the upper and lower jaws. The oral mucosa is
atraurnatic. There is some red, clotted blood present in the oral cavity. Facial hair consists
of a moustache and beard with the moustache measuring up to W' and the beard
measuring less than 1/8". The neck is midline. The superficial lymph nodes are not
palpable. The chest is symmetric and of normal mobility. There are multiple well-healed,
linear, oblique and variously-oriented to irregular scars that measure up to 7/8" in
maximum dimension on the upper chest. The abdomen is flat and demonstrates no remote
surgical scars. There are two faint, well-healed, linear, oblique and overlapping scars that
measure 2" and 1-5/8" on the lateral left upper quadrant of the abdomen. There is a 13/8" linear, scabbed, healing scar on the mid right flank. The atraurnatic external genitalia
are that of a normal male. The penis is uncircumcised. The testes are palpable within the
scrotal sac. The pubic hair is present in the appropriate distribution. Examination and
palpation of the extremities reveal deformities and injuries that will be described below.
This includes bulging deformity of the proximal lateral right arm; however, there is
absence of palpable fracture of the right arm. There are multiple well-healed, linear to
irregular scars that measure up to l -Y2" in maximum dimension on various aspects of the
ME-16-11 30
right arm, forearm and hand. There are a few well-healed, linear and oblique to irregular
scars that measure up to W ' in maximum dimension on various aspects of the left upper
extremity. The brown paper bags are removed from the hands to reveal fingernails that
are mostly medium to long in length and intact except for the left 2d fingernail, which is
short and intact. There is underlying dirty material beneath all of the fingernails. There
are multiple well-healed, irregular scars that measure up to 1-Y-i'' in maximum dimension
on various aspects of the lower extremities. The toenails are brown to tan, thickened and
cracking, consistent with onychomycosis.
Rigor mortis is well-developed in the major muscle groups. Livor mortis is
indiscernible due to skin color and injuries.
EVIDENCE OF MEDICAL TREATMENT
None present.
INJURIES
There are multiple penetrating and perforating gunshot wounds of the torso, the
right upper extremity and the lower extremities. These will be described according to
body region and are arbitrarily designated A through N for descriptive purposes only; no
sequence is implied. The directions are stated with reference to the standard anatomic
planes with the body measured in the horizontal position.
A. Perforating gunshot wound of right shoulder and upper right back:
1. Entrance: An entrance on the dorsolateral right shoulder is located l " from
the top of the right shoulder. It is a Yi" x 7116" ovoid perforation with an
asymmetric, circumferential margin of abrasion that ranges from 1/8" from
the 11 o' clock to 3 o' clock aspects to less than 1/16" for the remainder. Soot
or stippling is not present.
2. Track: After perforating the skin and subcutaneous tissues, the projectile
perforates skeletal muscle of the right shoulder and the lateral upper right back
without injury of bone or major blood vessels. There is moderate tissue
destruction and hemorrhage associated with this projectile pathway.
3. Exit: An exit on the lateral upper right back just posterior to the right axilla is
located 15-Yi" from the top of the head and 7" right of midline. It is a 5/8" x
7/16" stellate perforation.
4. Course/Direction: The direction of the projectile is downward and slightly
front to back without significant horizontal deviation.
ME-16-1130
2. Track: After perforating the skin and subcutaneous tissues, the projectile
sequentially perforates the right 1 st and 2nd ribs anteriorly, the upper lobe of
the right lung, the pericardium anteriorly, the heart through the right and left
ventricles, the pericardium posteriorly, the descending thoracic aorta, the
lower lobe of the left lung and the left 11th rib paravertebrally. There is
marked tissue destruction and hemorrhage associated with this projectile
pathway. This projectile pathway coincides closely with that of gunshot
wound C to be described below. There is extensive disruption of the
pericardium anteriorly, the ventricles of the heart and the lungs bilaterally.
Associated with this projectile pathway is red, liquid and clotted blood in each
pleural cavity (Right: 720 ml; Left: 250 ml). There is minimal residual red,
liquid and clotted blood present in the pericardia! cavity. Opening of the left
lung bronchi demonstrates some red, mucoid material in the bronchial lurnens.
There is similar associated red, mucoid material lining the larynx and trachea,
particularly distally.
3. Site of Lodgment: A projectile is lodged in the subcutaneous soft tissue of the
mid left back and is located 24-314" from the top of the head and 3" left of
midline. There is moderate soft tissue hemorrhage associated with this site of
lodgment.
4. Course/Direction: The direction of the projectile is right to left, front to back
and downward.
5. Projectile: A moderately deformed, large caliber, gray metal proj ectile with
yellow metal jacket is recovered from the subcutaneous soft tissue of the mid
left back. It is photographed and submitted to the Louisville Metro Police
Department/CSU.
C. Perforating gunshot wound of torso:
1. Entrance: An entrance on the upper right chest is located 14-W' from the top
of the head, 1-%" right of midline and 4-7/8" above and medial to the right
nipple in the I o'clock direction. It is a Yi'' x W' ovoid perforation with an
asymmetric, circumferential margin of abrasion that ranges from 1/8" from
the 10 o' clock to 3 o' clock aspects to less than 1116" for the remainder. Soot
or stippling is not present.
2. Track: After perforating the skin and subcutaneous tissues, the projectile
sequentially perforates the right 1st and 2d ribs anteriorly, the upper lobe of
the right lung, the pericardium anteriorly, the ascending aorta and pulmonary
artery trunk, the heart through the right and left atria, the rericardium
posteriorly, the lower lobe of the left lung and the left 101 rib posteriorly.
There is marked tissue destruction and hemorrhage associated with this
projectile pathway. This projectile pathway coincides closely with the
projectile pathway of gunshot wound B mentioned above. This projectile
pathway contributes to the marked extensive disruption of the pericardium
anteriorly, the atria of the heart and great vessels, and the lungs. There is
associated injury of the mid right coronary artery. This projectile pathway also
contributes to the previously-mentioned bilateral hemothoraces and the
residual hemopericardium.
3. Exit: An exit on the mid left back is located 21-7/8" from the top of the head
and 4-Yi" left of midline. It is a 5/16" x 3/16" crescentic perforation.
3
I\
ME-16-1130
4
/\
ME-16-1130
ME-16-1130
ME-16-1130
1. Entrance: An entrance on the ventral left knee is located 52-Y.i" from the top
of the head. It is a 3/8" x 14'' ovoid perforation with a less than 1/16"
symmetric, circumferential margin of abrasion. Soot or stippling is not
present.
2. Track: After perforating the skin and subcutaneous tissues, the projectile
perforates the left knee joint medial and inferior to the left patella. There is
moderate tissue destruction and slight hem01Thage associated with this
projectile pathway. There is an associated nondisplaced fracture of the distal
left femur at the left knee joint.
3. Exit: An exit on the dorsal left knee is located 49-%" from the top of the
head. It is a %" x 3/16" slit-like to irregular perforation.
4. Course/Direction: The direction of the projectile is front to back and
downward without significant horizontal deviation with the left knee
measured in the anatomic position.
5. Projectile: During removal of the shorts, a markedly deformed, gray metal
projectile with yellow metal jacket fell out into the body bag. This projectile is
associated with this gunshot wound and is the same projectile that was
mentioned previously in "EXTERIOR OF THE BODY". It is photographed
and submitted to the Louisville Metro Police Department/CSU.
L. Penetrating gunshot wound of left thigh and left buttock:
1. Entrance: An entrance on the mid medial left thigh is located 44-W' from the
top of the head. It is a 9/ 16" x 3/8" ovoid perforation with a less than 1/16"
symmetric, circumferential margin of abrasion. Soot or stippling is not
present.
2. Track: After perforating the skin and subcutaneous tissues, the projectile
perforates skeletal muscle of the medial and dorsal left thigh and soft tissues
of the lateral lower left buttock without injury of bone or major blood vessels.
There is moderate tissue destruction and slight hemorrhage associated with
this projectile pathway.
3. Site of Lodgment: A projectile is lodged in the subcutaneous soft tissues of
the lateral lower left buttock and is located 37" from the top of the head and SW ' left of midline. There is slight soft tissue hemorrhage associated with this
site of lodgment.
4. Course/Direction: The direction of the projectile is upward, front to back and
right to left with the left thigh measured in the anatomic position.
5. Projectile: A moderately deformed, large caliber, gray metal projectile with
yellow metal jacket is recovered from the lateral lower left buttock. It is
photographed and submitted to the Louisville Metro Police Department/CSU.
ME-16-1130
and hemorrhage associated with this projectile pathway. There are lacerations
of the right femoral vein. The right femoral artery and the right femur are
without injury.
3. Site of Lodgment:- A projectile is lodged in the skeletal muscle of the
proximal ventral right thigh. There is moderate soft tissue hemorrhage
associated with this site of lodgment.
4. Course/Direction: The direction of the projectile is back to front, upward and
slightly left to right.
5. Projectile: A moderately deformed, large caliber, gray metal projectile with
yellow metal jacket is recovered from the skeletal muscle of the proximal
right thigh. It is photographed and submitted to the Louisville Metro Police
Department/CSU.
N . Penetrating gunshot wound of right buttock and lower right back:
1. Entrance: An entrance on the lower right buttock is located 38-W ' from the
top of the head and 3-5/8" right of midline. It is a 7116" circular perforation
with a less than 1/16" symmetric, circumferential margin of abrasion. Soot or
stippling is not present.
2. Track: After perforating the skin, the projectile perforates soft tissues of the
right buttock and the lower right back without injury of bone or major blood
vessels. There is moderate tissue destruction and slight hemorrhage associated
with this projectile pathway.
3. Site of Lodgment: A projectile is lodged in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of
the lower right back and is located 27" from the top of the head and 6-W' right
of midline. There is slight soft tissue hemorrhage associated with this site of
lodgment.
4. Course/Direction: The direction of the projectile is upward, slightly back to
front and left to right.
5. Projectile: A moderately deformed, large caliber, gray metal projectile with
dark-colored metal jacket is recovered from the subcutaneous adipose tissue
of the lower right back. It is photographed and submitted to the Louisville
Metro Police Department/CSU .
OTHER INJURJES
There is a 1/8" red abrasion on the dorsal left hand. There is a%" x up to 3/16"
red to pink, irregular abrasion on the lateral right knee.
8
J\
ME-16-1130
See above "Injuries". The mediastinum is in the midline. The lungs are normally
inflated where uninjured. The pleural cavities are without adhesions.
CARDIOVASCULAR
See above "Injuries". The heart is markedly disrupted and weighs 400 grams. The
epicardial surface contains a normal amount of yellow adipose tissue where uninjured.
The cardiac chambers are markedly disrupted. The mural and valvular endocardia are
smooth where uninjured. The papillary muscles and projecting myocardial muscle
bundles are of increased prominence where uninjured. The coronary ostia are in their
usual location and give rise to normally distributed coronary arteries where uninjured.
The major coronary arteries are without atherosclerosis. On section, the brown
myocardium is of normal consistency where uninjured. The left ventricle measures 2 cm
thick. No focus of scar is demonstrated.
See above "Injuries". The systemic aorta is of normal caliber where uninjured.
There is slight atherosclerosis throughout the aorta. The ostia of the large branches are of
normal distribution and dimension. Exploration and inspection of the large veins reveals
no evidence of ante mortem clot.
RESPIRATORY
See above "Injuries". The lungs are of the usual lobation and weigh 320 and 300
grams, right and left respectively. Moderate to marked amounts of subpleural anthracotic
pigment are present within all lobes. The lungs are of normal crepitance where uninjured.
The pleurae are generally smooth where uninjured. The bronchi are of normal
distribution and dimension. They are lined with smooth, tan epithelium. There is also the
previously-mentioned red, mucoid material present in the left bronchi. There is no
evidence of ante mortem thrombo-emboli. On section, the usual fine, lacy pulmonary
architecture is preserved with anthracotic stippling where uninjured. No focus of
calcification or friability formation is demonstrated. The hilar lymph nodes are
anthracotic and non-calcified.
LIVER AND GALLBLADDER
See above "Injuries". The liver weighs 1260 grams. The capsule is smooth where
uninjured. The liver edge is sharp. On section, the hepatic substance is brown and of
normal consistency where uninjured.
See above "Injuries". The gallbladder is disrupted and is without contents. Stone
is not demonstrated. Exploration and inspection of the large bile ducts reveal them to be
of normal distribution and dimension. They are patent and free of stone.
PANCREAS
The pancreas is in its usual location and on section is composed of normally
lobulated, yellow-tan, soft substance. No focus of calcification is demonstrated.
9
I\
ME-16-1130
ADRENALS
The adrenal glands are in their usual location and are mostly of normal shape. On
section, the right adrenal gland contains a 2 x 1.8 x 1.5 cm circumscribed,
unencapsulated, yellow, soft cortical nodule consistent with a benign adrenal cortical
adenoma. Otherwise, the adrenal glands are composed of smooth, yellow outer cortical
rims which overlie zones of deeper brown cortical and gray medullary substances.
GENITOURINARY
The kidneys are of similar size and shape. Together they weigh 200 grams. The
capsules may be removed easily to reveal smooth, pale light brown renal surfaces. On
section, the cortices and medullae are well demarcated. The usual arcuate markings are
preserved. No abnormality of the calyx, pelvis, cortex or medulla is demonstrated. The
ureters are patent.
The bladder lumen contains 10 ml of urine. The openings of the ureters into the
bladder are normal. The bladder mucosa is light tan and finely wrinkled.
The prostate gland is of normal size and shape. On section, it is composed of firm,
white, almost rubbery substance. No focus of nodularity or yellow discoloration is
demonstrated.
SPLEEN
The spleen weighs 120 grams. The capsule is smooth, shiny and intact. On
section, no focal abnormal markings are demonstrated. The usual follicular and trabecular
markings are preserved.
ALIMENTARY
See above " Injuries". The smooth-walled esophagus is intact, of usual thickness
and gray. Its mucosa is present in normal longitudinal folds. The cardioesophageal
junction is easily identified. The gastric wall is intact and of usual thickness. No
abnormality of its serosal surface is demonstrated. The gastric mucosa is tan to green to
gray with focal flattening of the rugal folds in the fund us. The stomach contains 10 ml of
brown liquid. The pylorus is unremarkable. The small and large intestines contain the
previously-mentioned injuries.
MUSCULOSKELETAL
See above " Injuries". Examination and palpation of the spine, shoulder girdle and
pelvis fails to reveal fracture.
NECK
There is no soft tissue hemorrhage within the neck. The hyoid bone and thyroid
cartilages are intact. The larynx and trachea are of average caliber and are patent. They
10
{)/
ME-16-1130
are lined with smooth, pale tan epithelium. There is the previously-mentioned red,
mucoid material in the larynx and trachea. The vocal cords display no abnormality.
The tongue displays no abnormality.
THYROID
The thyroid gland demonstrates no abnormality.
HEAD
There is no soft tissue hem01Thage within the scalp. The calvarium is intact and
displays no abnormality. The dura is of normal tenseness. The superior sagittal sinus is
patent and in the midline. The leptomeninges are glistening and translucent. The brain is
of normal convolutional pattern and weighs 1380 grams.
Examination of the arteries at the base of the brain reveals them to be of normal
distribution and dimension. They are smooth-walled, collapsed and transparent. The
uncinate gyri and cerebellar tonsils do not demonstrate pressure phenomena.
Multiple frontal sections of the brain at approximate levels of 2 cm reveal normal
relations of gray and white substance. No focal abnormal markings are demonstrated. The
ventricles contain clear fluid, and the lining ependyma is smooth and glistening. The
choroid plexuses display no abnormality. The basal ganglia are normal.
Multiple horizontal sections of the cerebellum, pons and medulla reveal normal
architecture of these structures without focal abnormal markings.
Examination of the base of the skull, after removal of the brain and dura, fails to
reveal fracture.
DISPOSITION OF EVIDENCE
The following items are maintained at the OCME:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Photographic documentation
Diagrammatic documentation
Tissue for stock
A DNA standard card
Right chest blood for short-term storage
Digital radiographs of the body
Right chest blood, urine and vitreous fluid are submitted in a sealed kit to AIT
Laboratories for toxicologic analysis. A separate sample of vitreous fluid is submitted
in the same sealed kit to be held at AIT Laboratories for possible electrolyte analysis.
The following items are collected by the Louisville Metro Police Department/CSU:
11
ME-16-1130
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Photographic documentation
Brown paper bags from hands
Fingernail clippings and clippers
A DNA standard card
Pulled head hair
Clothing
Multiple projectiles (8) from body and clothing
ID fingerprints
12
(\
"<
...
..
( .'
j.~
0(s~.\+- . \ ~
j
-~
...--.(
I
6~
e "'..
_..,I
... -
7
___ .. \
.. ..
i 0
".
-,
y
\
.-
'
I.
'I
..
lV
a"
' / '!
'
- A rm
11
\\
!'
'(
:' r
'
,.,
IIi, \\
l'I'
! .(. ,' I
,,.
/(i/
,-?',
'l
\1
//
iI
I
! , , ,. :
'
'I
"~'
1'1."
r;(
__.1
'l
I~I
~j._.
'
, ' ''
,tt ..
. _.
i'
'
'
'
f;I./
<.!$/
weight
'
'
Liver
11JoO
~~
N :
II
"/
'
6~ ..,
/ ~r
-~_7@\
eJ~~v
cri
(!:;?/
,../,. i i .'
&~v
~.\-~
'
Kidneys
Spleen
f )i.J
_,'
\
I
OJ et!i /
J
'
'.
'
!'
e.--t.f--
... . - '
Heart'fO V
Arm
~C>w
C, J
.f
,~ Ii I
no
R.
-J_ c~
\,
I .
0-.. .1 : .
\ 1l
,.I
'
Height
-~ -- -
~}
~(vs
1'/
, __
'
Gt~~
i.-'
'
.I
'
' ,, '
ME16-1130
".
y;
.I
~
,_
..,;,,,\.
"'
I I'
".I
:
~, i' i
/?'.. . ._1
CL/
l'
'
I
57Y
I!
/ \I .
}:'
\t; ' ''
WICKER
'
/ 'l
08/09/2016
II , . .
.. i , ,'.
DARNELL
~{4
..
I
l.J
j'
.'
Gsv
( ,.
'
'\ ":''
I
i
uC7"'t
s-w --
-'""
(j
,l .(', i''
/'
'
'
'I
- ,I
>JI
'\.\
e_y.j-
GSc..-. /
(, \
v 11
L>
'-
,i
\,,
i\
.....
i'
"Ja-'.
"
. .:..;-
/ ..
~
- . ,~
,,
. - .
--..... \.
I,
~w
~+($)
' A
"
i
\
av ',
I
~GSV '
!:
' I\ ' \ e_~T : }
/ ' u ~
\
' _,;.,.--;
L,,
! ,"]
It ~~ ': -=-
' ' ~'
'
'
e.111+ ! _..
I ~151' I ~1~u
~f
.u:;,.
..
~.-,...;;tt2
.
...
."'//.
1,
G~fc0
.f
'." .
Brain
(!fj
(:,~~
evl'
/.. - }- ' -...,.
y)
J
[oo
11-6
;'
17,XO
- .