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Coroner uses skull to determine cause of death in 1985 killing

October 15, 2013 / 00:46

This episode discusses the forensic analysis of a skull unearthed by heavy earth-moving equipment, specifically a bobcat. Key topics include the impact of machinery on skeletal remains and the determination of perimortem fractures.

The conversation highlights the challenges forensic experts face when assessing whether fractures were caused by machinery or occurred just before death. This distinction is crucial for legal proceedings.

Listeners learn about the complexities involved in determining the cause of death based on the condition of the skull and the implications for the trial.

TLDR

Forensic analysis of a skull reveals challenges in determining cause of death.

Episode

0:46

00:00:00

so when this this body this skull was Unearthed by a bobcat correct heavy Earth moving equipment yes and what does

00:00:12

that do to a body you expect it to shatter the skull that was exactly the uh that was exactly the issue what I had

00:00:20

to try and determine was were all of these fractures caused by the bobcat in which case they're of no real

00:00:27

significance as far as the the trial concerned or are some of these uh fractures what I say what I call

00:00:35

perimortem meaning that they happened when the person was alive but just shortly before death in other words

00:00:41

you're really trying to figure out the cause of death exactly

Episode Highlights

Determining Cause of Death
Experts analyze skull fractures to ascertain if they occurred pre- or post-mortem.
“You're really trying to figure out the cause of death exactly.”
@ 00m 41s
October 15, 2013

Episode Quotes

What I call perimortem meaning that they happened when the person was alive.
Coroner uses skull to determine cause of death in 1985 killing
You're really trying to figure out the cause of death exactly.
Coroner uses skull to determine cause of death in 1985 killing

Key Moments

Bobcat Discovery00:04
Fracture Investigation00:33
Cause of Death00:41