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LEGAL MEDICINE  March 3, 1939 – The Department of Legal Medicine and Ethics of the University of
JOPERSON G. PABLO, R.CRIM., REB, REA
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF LEGAL MEDICINE IN THE PHILIPPINES
 1858 – The first textbook in Legal Medicine and its practice by Dr. Rafael Genard Y
Mas, who is a Spanish chief army physician was published and is entitled “Manual de
Medecina Domestica.”
 1871 – Legal medicine was included in the curriculum of the college of medicine in
the University of Santo Thomas.
 March 31, 1876 – The “medico titulares” which took charge of the public sanitation
and medico-legal aid for the purpose of justice was created by the King of Spain in
his Royal Decree No. 188.
 1894 – The “Medico Titulares of Forensic” which is about the regulation and its
practice was published.
 1895 – A medico-legal laboratory was established in Manila to handle medico-legal
cases.
 1898 – During the American regime, the Spanish Forensic Medicine System was
preserved.
 1901 – The provincial, insular and municipal board of health (Acts 157, 307, 308)
was created by the Philippine Commission which is about the medico-legal duties of
“medico titulares” of the Spanish regime and its assignment to the health officers of
the respective areas.
 1908 – Legal Medicine was taught in all medical schools in the Philippines.
 1919 – The Department of Legal Medicine and Ethics of the University of the
Philippines was created under Dr. Sixto de Los Angeles as chief.
 January 10, 1922 – The Department of Legal Medicine and Ethics of the University
of the Philippines with its Department head was incorporated to the Philippine
General Hospital.
 March 10, 1922 – The Philippine Legislature enacted Act No. 1043 which became
incorporated in the administrative code as Section 2465 and provides that the
Department of Legal Medicine and Ethics of the University of the Philippines became
a branch of the Department of Justice.
 December 10, 1937 – The creation of the Division of Investigation under the
Department of Justice was done by the Commonwealth Act 181 in which a medico-
legal section was under the division with Dr. Gregorio T. Lantin as the head.
the Philippines was abolished and its functions were transferred to the medico-legal
section of the Division of Investigation.
 July 4, 1942 – A medico-legal section of the Manila Police Department was created
under Dr. Pablo Anzures.
 1945 – The Provost Marshall of the United States Army created the criminal
investigation laboratory with the Medical Examiner as an integral part under Dr.
Mariano Lara as the Chief Medical Examiner.
 June 28, 1945 – the Division of Investigation was reactivated under the Department
of Justice.
 June 19, 1947 – The Bureau of Investigation was created by the Republic Act 157.
then, the Bureau of investigation was made the National Bureau of Investigation by
the Executive Order from the President of the Philippines. The medico-legal section
was created under the National Bureau of Investigation with its head Dr. Enrique V.
de Los Santos.
 The existence of the medico-legal division in the criminal laboratory of the G-2 of the
Philippine Constabulary also occurred. At that time, all provincial, municipal and city
health officers, physicians of hospitals, health centers, asylums, penitentiaries and
colonies became the ex-officio medico-legal officers. In remote places, the service of
a “Cirujano Ministrante” or the Sanitary Inspector may perform the medico-legal work
if a registered physician is not available.
MEDICO-LEGAL SYSTEM - The medico-legal system adopted in a particular country
depends upon the laws of such country. The ones commonly used are the Medico-legal
Office System, Medical Examiner System and the Coroner System. Some countries
employed the three systems at the same time but other countries preferred two or a certain
system.
 MEDICO-LEGAL OFFICE SYSTEM
o This is the medico-legal system used in the Philippines at present which is
handled by a Medical Jurist or Medico-legal Officer who is a registered
physician duly qualified to practice medicine in the Philippines. The National
bureau of Investigation, Manila Police Department and the Philippine
Constabulary had their own medico-legal offices with their own respective
Medico-legal Officers. The Medico-Legal Officer is the one who investigates
medico-legal cases of death, physical injuries, rape and other sexual crimes.
His duty is to examine the victim of assistant, to make a report and to appear
in court as expert witness when summoned by the proper authorities.
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o In spite of several medico-legal cases in the Philippines, the medico-legal MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE - a branch of law which deals with the organization and
investigation is still insufficient because of the following reasons: regulation of the medical profession.
 Look of proficiency by the physician in medico-legal work
 Inadequate facilities NATURE OF THE STUDY OF LEGAL MEDICINE
 inadequate means of transportation and communication  Ability to acquire facts
 Lack of sufficient training in medico-legal work by the police  Power to arrange those facts in logical order
investigator and other law enforcement agent  Draw a conclusion from the facts that may be useful in the administration of justice
 Insufficient physician and personnel to handle medico-legal cases
DEATH INVESTIGATION
 MEDICAL EXAMINER SYSTEM  deals with the postmortem investigation of sudden and unexpected death.
o In some parts of the United States, the Medical Examiner System is the  is a component of work performed by forensic pathologist.
preferred, although the Coroner System is still used in some states. The
Medical Examiner System is handled by the Chief Medical Examiner who is a FORENSIC PATHOLOGY - a branch of medicine associated with the study of structural
Doctor of Medicine and appointed by the Mayor from the classified lists changes in the body caused by disease or injury.
compiled by the Civil Medical Examiner is on a 24-hour work with clerical
staff always present. BRANCHES OF PATHOLOGY
o The duty of the Medical Examiner is to investigate the cause of death  Anatomic – deals with structural alterations of the human body.
especially violent death or other circumstances leading to the death of the  Clinical – deals with laboratory examinations of samples removed from the body.
victim. The Medical Examiner on duty after being informed by the police
officer of a certain crime that needs to be investigated will go to the place of WHO ARE ALLOWED TO CONDUCT EXAMINATION?
the crime, interview witnesses, examine the victim and then take specimens  Health officers
if any, for examination.  Medical officers of law enforcement agencies
o During trial, the Medical Examiner will then present his medical report to the  Forensic pathologist
court.
 CORONER SYSTEM - probably originated in England, although there are no records DEATH SCENE INVESTIGATION
of its actual origin. In common law, the office of the Coroner is a very ancient one.  For the pathologist and criminal investigator to perform a thorough investigation, the
The name “Coroner” is probably derived from the title “Custodes Placitorum Coronne” death scene must be well-documented.
or “Keeper of the King’s Pleas” as mentioned in Articles of Eyre of 1194. Magna  By understanding the role of the pathologist and the natural changes that occur in the
Charta (1215) refers to the coroner as “Coronator”. A report although there is body after death, the criminal investigator can gather information that is useful to
evidence that coroner existed in Australia, United States and other colonies of everyone involved in the investigation.
England.
ROLES OF FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST
 Establishing cause of death (REASON)
LEGAL MEDICINE - branch of medicine that deals with the application of medical knowledge  Establishing manner of death (MODE)
to the purposes of law and in the administration of justice.  Estimating time of death (TIME)

FORENSIC MEDICINE - a branch of medical science which deals with application of medical
knowledge to elucidate legal problems.
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KINDS OF DEATH EXAMINATION OF PERIPHERAL CIRCULATION

 Somatic or Clinical - physician or member of the family declare the death of a  Magnus Test
person.  Opening of Small Artery
 Molecular or Cellular – still life among individual cells.  Icard’s Test
 Apparent Death or Suspended Animation – loss of consciousness or temporary  Pressure on the Fingernails
cessation of vital functions.  Diaphanous Test
 Application of Heat on the Skin
MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECT OF DEATH  Palpation of the Radial Pulse
Importance of Death Determination  Dropping of Melted wax
 Civil personality is extinguished by death
 Property is transferred to heirs METHODS OF DETECTING CESSATION OF RESPIRATION
 Dissolution of partnership agreement  Observation of chest and abdomen movement
 Extinguishment of agency  Use of stethoscope
 Extinguishment of criminal liability  Examination with the use of mirror
 Dismissal of civil claims that did not survive prior to death of defendant  Examination with the use of feather or cotton
 Examination with the use of glass of water
SIGNS OF DEATH  Winslow’s Test
 Cessation of Respiration
 Absence of sensitivity POSTMORTEM - events or changes that occur after death.
 Cessation of heart action and circulation
 Cooling of the body ANTIMORTEM - events or changes that occur before death.
 Rigidity of muscles
 Skin discoloration POSTMORTEM CHANGES IN BODY
 Approximate time of death
METHODS OF DETECTING THE CESSATION OF HEART ACTION & CIRCULATION  If body was moved after death
 Examination of pulse  Understand and recognizing these changes is particularly useful for the crime scene
 Auscultation for the heart sound investigator
 Fluoroscopic examination
 Electrocardiograph ALGOR MORTIS (COOLING OF THE BODY)
 Standard rate applied to body cooling is 1 ½ degrees F per hour.
CESSATION OF RESPIRATION  During the first hour, little cooling occurs.
 Person can hold 3 ½ minutes  After the first hour, the rate of cooling is dependent upon:
 Divers and swimmers cannot be longer than 2 minutes o Environmental conditions
 Apparent drowning o Amount of clothing worn by victim
 Newly born infant may not breath after a time of birth o State of nutrition
o Presence of wind
 Relative humidity.
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 If victim is in contact with water or other wet or cold surfaces.

 It is usually not known what victim’s body temperature was at time of death. Conditions Stimulating Rigor Mortis
o Heat stroke o Heat Stiffening – a condition characterized by hardening of the muscles due
o Hypothermia to coagulation of muscle proteins when the dead body is exposed to intense
heat as by burning or immersion in a hot liquid.
LIVOR MORTIS (BODY DISCOLORATION) o Cold Stiffening – a condition characterized by hardening of the muscles due
 a purplish discoloration of body and organ surfaces. to solidification of fats, muscles and fluid when the dead body is exposed to
 Results when blood settles to the lower parts of the body. extremely cold or freezing temperature.
 Becomes visible in the skin ½ to 2 hours after death. o Cadaveric Spasm or Instantaneous Rigor - the instant stiffening of a
 Areas of skin in contact with a surface may prevent livor from discoloring the skin at certain group of muscles which occurs immediately at the moment of death
the point of contact. and although its cause is unknown is associated with the violent death due to
 Can be useful for determining if the body was moved after death by looking at lividity extreme nervous tension, fatigue and injury to the nervous system.
patterns on the skin.
Changes in the Blood STAGE OF SECONDARY FLACCIDITY - a muscular change characterized by the softness
o Coagulation of blood and flaccidity of the muscles in which no longer respond to mechanical or electrical
o Post mortem lividity stimulation due to dissolution of the muscles that have been previously coagulated during
 Hypostatic lividity - inside blood vessels. the stage of rigor mortis.
 Diffusion lividity - outside the blood vessels in the tissue of the
body. DESICCATION
 drying that occurs prominently on mucous membranes.
RIGOR MORTIS (STIFFENING OF THE MUSCLES)  It occurs when those areas protected from drying in life are no longer protected.
 a condition in which muscles of the body become hardened as a result of chemical (blinking, lip licking)
changes within the muscle fibers.  Membranes may look burned and the conjunctiva of the eye may actually be black.
 Process is due to appearance of lactic acid and other by-products of metabolism.
 As acid products accumulate, protoplasm begins to gel, making muscles rigid. DECOMPOSITION
 Small muscles are affected first  also referred to as putrefaction, is a sequence of physiochemical events that begins
with death and ends with dissolution of non-skeletal parts of body.
 Detected in 2-4 hours
 It begins with greenish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes.
 Complete in 6-12 hours
 Epidermis (skin) becomes detached from the membrane and slips off the body.
 Remains 12-18 hours
 Bacteria in the blood and body causes gas production, resulting in distension or
 Begins to leave in 24-36 hours
bloating of the body.
 Gone in 40-60 hours
 Autolysis refers to the action of digestive enzymes or ferments that break down
 However, onset and departure of rigor is greatly affected by the environment as
complex protein and carbohydrates into simpler compounds.
noted earlier.
 During life, these digestive enzymes only act on food, but after death will break down
 Outward visual indication of rigor mortis is “goose bumps” or “goose flesh” on skin.
surrounding tissue.
 A good indicator of whether or not a person was moved after the onset of rigor
 Rate of decomposition is dependent upon environmental conditions.
mortis.
 High heat and high humidity will increase onset.
 Low temperatures and low humidity retard onset.

AS TO THE TYPE OF WOUNDS
 CLOSED WOUND – wound where there is no break in the overlying skin or tissues.
o Petechiae – these are minute pin-point circumscribed extravasations of
blood in the sub-cutaneous tissues or underneath the mucous membrane. (
Insect's bites, tardieus' spots)
o Contusion or Bruise – a wound in the subcutaneous cellular tissues
characterized by swelling and discoloration of tissues because of
extravasations of blood. The shape of the bruise is usually round or oval but
may follow the shape of the wounding weapon, so that the position of the
bruise may indicate the manner of assault.
o Hematoma or Blood Cyst – large extravasations in a newly formed cavity
secondary trauma characterized by swelling, discoloration of tissues. The
hematoma maybe absorbed spontaneously or may complicate forming
abscess, cyst, gangrene or tumor.
 DEEP CLOSED WOUND
o Sprain – the straining or tearing of the particular tendons, ligaments and
muscles characterized by the swelling, discoloration of tissues resulting from
violence or from some existing pathology.
o Simple Fracture - an injury where there is the line of fracture but the
alignments of the bones are still intact.
o Simple Dislocation – a dislocation where there is a displacement of the
bones but without external wound.
o Concussion (Cerebral concussion) - a condition of the brain
 Internal hemorrhage
 Laceration of organ
 OPENED WOUND – wound where there is a break in the overlying skin or tissue.
o Abrasion - an open wound characterized by the removal of the epithelial
layer of the skin brought by friction against a hard rough object.
Characteristics of Abrasion
 There is removal of the epithelial layer of the skin.
 It involves the outer layer or superficial portion of the skin or tissues.
 The raw skin exudes blood and lymp.
Forms of Abrasion
 Linear abrasion - an abrasion where there is a single line of injury
which maybe curve or straight.
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 Multi-linear abrasion – a term of abrasion where there are several
lines of injury which are parallel to one another.
 Confluent abrasion – a form of abrasion where the lines of injury
are arrange in hap hazard manner.
 Multiple abrasion – an abrasion in the body surface located in
different parts of the body.
Types of Abrasion
 Scratches - an abrasion brought about by the stroke of sharp-
pointed instrument over the skin producing the injury.
 Grazes - an abrasion due to forcible contact with a rough, hard
object resulting to irregular removal of the skin surface.
 Impact of imprint abrasion - an abrasion due to contact with a
rough, hard object in which the structural form of the object is
reflected over the skin.
 Pressure of Friction Abrasion - an abrasion due to pressure
applied and with accompanying movement over the skin.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE CAUSE OF DEATH
MEDICO-LEGAL CLASSIFICATION
 Natural – a death that occurs due to a disease or ailment in the body.
 Violent – a death due to injuries by some forms of outside force wherein the physical
injuries inflicted is the proximate cause of death.
 Accidental – a death which occurs unexpected and outside of will.
 Negligent – a death due to reckless imprudence, negligence, lack of skill or lack of
foresight.
 Infanticidal – a death due to the killing of an infant less than 3 days old.
 Parricidal - death due to killing of one’s own father, mother or child whether
legitimate or illegitimate.
 Homicidal - the killing of another person with intent but without justification.
 Murder - the unlawful killing of person committed with any of the circumstances
enumerated under Art 248, RPC attending the crime.
 Euthanasia (Mercy killing) - a willful acceleration of death of person in order to
lessen sufferings of the patient, this is permitted in some European countries.
 Suicidal – a death due to killing of destruction of oneself.
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PATHOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOUND ENTRANCE

 Death from Syncope - Syncope is a symptom complex characterized by loss of  The wound of entrance is usually small and maybe smaller than the missile due to
consciousness, fall in blood pressure, fainting spell, decrease respiration and heart retraction of the skin and tissues at the opening of the wound. The edge of the wound
rate due to sudden loss of heart action, pulmonary function as well as arrest of is inverted with some contusion or abrasion around the wound. This contusion collar
functions in the brain. or abrasion collar is due to the spinning movement and rough surface of the bullet as
 Death from Asphyxia - Asphyxia is a condition of death due to interference in well as the invigilation of the skin.
respiration.  In contact or close range fire, there is burning of the skin, singeing of the hair and
 Death from Coma - Coma is a profound stupor in sickness or after severe injury. gunpowder tattooing. The other description of the wound of entrance is based on the
distance of the body from the fire gun.
METHODS OF JUDICIAL DEATH
 Death by Lethal Injection CONTACT FIRE: The wound of entrance is burst to the explosion of the powder which
 Death by Electrocution produces the heated and expanded gases. There is burning of the tissues in affected area
 Death by Musketry because it is within the flame zone; singeing of the hair; the particles of gunpowder in and
 Death by Gas Chamber around the wound of entrance. The skin is separated from the underlying tissues in the
 Death by Hanging affected area, and the blasted tissues are cherry red because of the presence of the carbon
monoxide. The pressure of the bullet slug will cause caving in or excavation of tissues and
PHYSICAL INJURY - a specific impairment of the body structure or function caused by an the contusion collar is seen around the wound of entrance. The size of the wound is rather
outside force or agent. small.

CLASSIFICATION OF WOUND OR PHYSICAL INJURY
 As to severity:
o Mortal Wound – wound which when inflicted to the body is immediately
followed by death or one which is serious that will endangered the life of the
victim.
o Non-mortal Wound - wound which when inflicted to the body is not
immediately followed by death or one which is not so serious that will
endangered the life of the victim.
 As to the kind of instrument used:
o Wounds produced by blunt instrument
o Wounds produced by sharp edged instrument
o Wounds produced by sharp pointed instrument
o Wounds produced by sharp edged and sharp pointed instrument
o Wounds produced by tearing force
o Wounds produced by change of environmental pressure
GUNSHOT WOUND - an open wound produced by the penetration of bullet slug within the
tissues of the body. The bullet slug which was propelled from the gun as well as the flame
from the heated expanded gases in short range fire is the one that produces the injury.
SHOTGUN WOUND - an open wound produced by the penetration of pellets or shot within
the tissues of the body. In shotgun fire, the pellets penetrate and usually lodged inside the
body and a tendency for a wider dispersion of pellets at a certain distance except in contact
and near contact fire.
LOCAL EFFECTS OF COLD TEMPERATURE
 FROSTBITE – a condition of exposure to cold temperature of certain parts of the
body which produced mechanical disruption of cell structure and is characterized by
diminished body temperature, cold stiffening and pallor which is later on lead to
swelling, thrombosis, necrosis and gangrene of the affected tissues.
 TRENCH FOOT – a condition usually seen among those walking over the snow
wherein the foot is exposed to freezing temperature characterized by cold stiffening,
muscle cramp, necrosis and gangrene of the foot.
 IMMERSION FOOT – a sub-variety of trench foot when the foot is submerged into a
cold freezing liquid characterized by decreased body temperature, cold stiffening.
Muscle cramp, necrosis and gangrene of the muscles in the foot.

GENERALIZED OR SYSTEMIC EFFECT OF HEAT
 HEAT CRAMP – a painful contraction of the skeletal muscles usually seen among
manual workers in hot environment whose bodily fluids have been depleted of
sodium chloride unreplaced by heavy loses from sweat.
 HEAT EXHAUSTION – a physiological breakdown following exposure to heat or
precipitated by exertion in a hot environment characterized by peripheral vasomotor
collapse and is manifested by faintness, palpitation, nausea, vomiting, syncope,
dizziness, headache and restlessness.
 HEAT STROKE – a failure of adequate heat elimination almost always related to a
breakdown of the sweating mechanism usually seen among workers working in a
warm environment or exposed to the heat of the sun and is manifested by an
elevation of body temperature, mental confusion, staggering gait, injuries to
destruction of nerve cells as well as congestion and focal hemorrhages in various
organs.
LOCAL EFFECTS OF HEAT
 SCALD – the burn due to the contact with a hot or boiling liquid or gas over the body
characterized by redness, pain and blister formation.
 BURN – the injury due to the application of physical heat in any form to the body and
is characterized by redness and heat coagulation of the tissues to actual charring.
The effect of burns to the body is influenced by the intensity of heat, duration of
contact, tissue involved, sex, age and accompanying infections.
TYPES OF BURN
 THERMAL BURN – caused by the application of heat or hot object. It is further
subdivided in 2 groups: a. Those due to hot liquid and steam (scalds); b. Those due
to dry heat and fire.
 CHEMICAL BURN - burn due to chemicals like strong acids, alkalies and other
irritant substances which produced extensive destruction of tissues and usually
healed by the formation of keloid scars.
 ELECTRIC BURN - burn due to electric current. There are three kinds of electric
burns such as contact burns, spark burns and flash burns.
 RADIATION BURN - burn due to radiation from radio-active substances such as X-
ray and ultraviolet light as well as radiation bombs.
 FRICTION BURN - burn when the body comes in contact with the moving object
either by sliding, rotating or rubbing.
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CLINICAL CLASSIFICATION OF BURN
 FIRST DEGREE BURN – the burn which involves the superficial layer of the skin or
tissues characterized by redness and pain, but later on sloughing of the skin after a
few days. Example: Sunburn
 SECOND DEGREE BURN – the burn which involves the superficial layer of the skin
and tissue, nerve endings and is characterized by the formation of blisters containing
fluid over the tissues. This is the most painful burn because of the irritation of the
nerve endings.
 THIRD DEGREE BURN – the burn involving the skin, nerve, muscles and bones
which is usually encountered in victims of conflagrations. This is the most severe
burn because the victim usually dies from loss of fluid and electrolyte in the body and
massive infection.
BURN INJURIES
Severity of burns depends directly on:
 Intensity of fire
 Duration of exposure
 Chemical fires may reach temperatures of several thousand degrees
 House fires seldom exceed 1200 F (649 C)
 At this temperature it is unlikely adult body will burn completely
 Even though external body is charred and unrecognizable, internal organs are
usually intact and liquid blood for DNA, toxicology, and carbon monoxide testing is
present
 Teeth will usually be in excellent condition for identification purposes
When body is exposed to heat, muscles contract and draw arms and legs into bent position.
This position has been compared to stance of pugilist - old time boxer.
This burned position is referred to as pugilistic attitude.
ASPHYXIATION
 When the body is deprived of oxygen, asphyxia occurs.
 Death from asphyxia alone is usually due to natural or accidental causes.
CAUSES OF ASPHYXIATION
 Disease that hinders airway
 Choking
 Pressure on chest – causing restricted breathing
 Inhaling chemicals
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LOCUS MINORIS RESISTANCIA - injury found both at the site or opposite the site of the
STRANGULATION application of the force but in some areas offering least resistance to the force applied.
 a form of asphyxiation from compression of the neck
 Hard blows to the neck may also cause strangulation. EXTENSIVE INJURY - injury involving a greater area beyond the site of the application of
 Manual strangulation is homicide. force.
 There may be bruising or marks on neck – sometimes they will only show during
autopsy PATTERN INJURIES - an abrasion or other injury in which the shape of the object that
 Hyoid bone may be fractured. caused the injury leaves a negative impression on the body.
 A ligature is a cord or wire used for tying.
 Strangulation by ligature may be homicide or suicide. INCISED (CUTTING) INJURIES
Wound Characteristics:
 Close inspection of the neck may show evidence of a ligature.
 Clean edges
PETECHIAL HEMORRHAGES  Minimum bruising
 They are pinpoint capillary ruptures visible on the skin and in the eyes.  No bridging of nerves or vessels
 They are caused by a build-up of pressure as a result of asphyxiation or  Wounds tend to be longer than deep
strangulation.  Overlaying hair can be cut
 Presence of petechial hemorrhages does not automatically make the death a  Bleeds freely
homicide  Instrument is seldom indicated by wound
 Petechial hemorrhages are also found in cases of:  Little trace evidence
o Heart attack
o Drowning STAB WOUNDS CHARACTERISTICS
o Electrocutions  Result of a pointed or sharp object forced inward
o Suicides  Tends to be deeper than wide
o Hangings  Presents danger to vital organs
 Often little or no external blood
HANGING - an asphyxiation by strangulation using rope, cord or similar material to work  May indicate the type of weapon used
against the weight of the body. o Length
o Width
COUP AND CONTRE COUP INJURIES o Hilt mark
 COUP INJURIES signifies that the injuries are located beneath the impact site  Tip of the weapon may break off in the wound
(usually caused by blow)
 CONTRE COUP INJURIES are on the opposite side from where the blow was STAB WOUNDS CHARACTERISTICS
initiated. (can be caused by fall)  Can have characteristics of both incised and lacerated wounds
 External injuries may be absent.  Extensive damage
o Avulsion (skin removal)
COUP CONTRE COUP INJURIES - injury found at the site and also opposite the application o Eviscerations (organ removal)
of force.  Possible broken bones
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DEFENSIVE WOUNDS - injuries that occur to victim as they are attempting to defend  Vaginal canal
themselves from attack.  Labia majora minora
 Wounds are usually found on:  Fourshette & perineum
o Hands  Hymen
o Fingers  Rougosites
o Arms
 They can be in forms of: DEFLORATION - the laceration or rupture of the hymen as a result of sexual intercourse.
o Cuts – fending off knife attack.
o Bruises – blocking blows. CLASSIFICATION OF DEFLORATION
o Gunshot wounds through arms – while raising arms in front in a defensive  Incomplete Laceration
posture. o Superficial
o Deep
CLASSIFICATION OF TRAUMATIC DEATHS  Complete
 MECHANICAL TRAUMA  Complicated
o Blunt
o Sharp HEALING TIME OF HYMENAL LACERATION
 CHEMICAL TRAUMA  superficial – 2 to 3 days
o Alcohol  extensive tear – 7 to 10 days
 Ethyl  complicated – if with intervening infection will require longer to heal
 Ethanol
o Drugs DURATION OF LACERATION OF THE HYMEN
 THERMAL TRAUMA  fresh bleeding laceration – rupture quite recent
o Hypothermia (Cold)
 healing – after 24 to 7 days
o Hyperthermia (Hot)
 recently healed – 7 days to 3 months
 ELECTRICAL TRAUMA
 old healed – 3 months to years
o Low Voltage
o High Voltage
MEDICAL EVIDENCE TO CONSIDER IN SEXUAL CRIMES
 Evidence from the victim
KINDS OF VIRGINITY
 Alleged time and place of the commission of the crime
 Moral virginity
 Date, time and place of the examination
 Demi-virginity
 Condition of clothing
 Virgo-Inacta
 Physical and mental development of victim
 Physical Virginity
 Gait, facial expression etc
o True physical virginity
 Examination of body for sign of violence
o False physical virginity
 Examination of genetalia
DETERMINATION OF THE CONDITION OF VIRGINITY o hymen
o hymental orifice
 Breast
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o vaginal canal
o rougosites
o fourshette
o pubic hair
o labias
o presence of spermatozoa

PREGNANCY - a state of a woman who has within her body the going product of conception.

LEGAL IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY OF PREGNANCY

 Pregnancy ground for the suspension of the execution of the death sentence in
women.
 A conceived child is capable of receiving donation.
 Duration of pregnancy – 270-280 days from onset of last menstruation.
 Abnormally prolonged gestation – beyond 300 days.
 Minimum period of gestation – compatible with viability of the child born at 180
days may live.
“The true essence of HAPPINESS and SUCCESS is
 Super fecundation – fertilization made by separate intercourse of two ova which
have escaped at the same act of ovulation.
not in doing what you love, but in LOVING WHAT
 Pseudocysis or spurious pregnancy – imaginary pregnancy.
YOU DO.” - jgp16
MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS OF DELIVERY
 Delivery is the process by which in a woman gives birth to her offspring.
 Puerperium – the interval between the terminations of labor (delivery) to the
complete return of the reproductive organ its normal pregnant state-last from 6 to 8
weeks.
 The study of delivery is important because proof delivery is necessary in judicial
action on the following:
o Legitimacy
o Abortion
o Infanticide
o Concealment of birth
o In slander or libel
 Methods of delivery
o Natural Route – the normal passages- Spontaneous, Surgical intervention,
Instrumentation.
o Surgical Route – abdominal caesarian section, vaginal caesarian section,
Post-mortem caesarian section.