Robert Kennedy Autopsy Report

Cause/manner of death

Why?

Cause-  A gunshot to the head

Robert Kennedy’s autopsy revealed That while he was shot 3 times, only one was considered fatal. This bullets path hit many vital parts of the brain including the temporal lobe, cerebellum, and eventually the brain stem.

Manner- homicide

Robert Kennedy was shot a total of three times, and this is very unlikely in an accidental shooting, or a suicide (and never in a natural death.)

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Medical term

Definition

1.

Right mastoid region

The mastoid part of the temporal bone is the back part of the temporal bone. Its rough surface gives attachment to various muscles and it has openings for the transmission of blood vessels.

2.

Axilla

The space below the shoulder through which vessels and nerves enter and leave the upper arm; a person's armpit.

3.

Infraclavicular region

Situated or occurring below the clavicle.

4.

Paracervical region

Of, relating to, or occurring in the neck and especially the back part of the neck.

5.

Craniotomy

Surgical opening into the skull.

6.

Auditory meatus

Either of the passages in the outer ear from the auricle to the tympanicmembrane

7.

Reid line

The base line of the skull, a hypothetic line extending from the inferior orbital ridge to the center of the aperture of theexternal auditory meatus. 

8.

Occipital protuberance

 Prominence on the outer surface of the occipital bone.

9.

Edema

An excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue spaces or a body cavity.

10.

Ecchymosis

A discoloration of the skin resulting from bleeding underneath, typically caused by bruising.

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Stage

description

1.

Preliminary Procedures

-the taking of detailed notes of the post-mortem.

-The date, time, location and circumstances of the autopsy are recorded.

-The prosecutors, witnesses and other personnel are identified.

- Any special circumstances, such as embalming information is noted.

2.

Summary of Known Circumstances

• Short version of the known facts about the decedent.
• Age, race and sex.
• Brief description of the crime scene and the circumstances in which the victim's body was found.
• May contain information pertaining to the victim's last known activities or plans if known.

3.

Documents Reviewed And/or Evidence Examined

- Review of reports of investigation or conversations with official personnel that pertain to the victim's death.

- Evidence obtained at the death scene beneficial to the pathologist.

 Ex) a gun recovered from the body of a shooting victim

4.

External Examination of Body

- Comprehensive list of everything involved in the external examination.

- The victim's clothing, jewelry, valuables recovered.

- Body weight and length.

- Presence of algor, rigor or livor mortis.

- General condition of the body.

- Description of the color and condition of head and body hair.

- Examination of the nose and mouth.

- External condition of body areas to include the breasts, genitalia, ears and skin.

- Scars or incisions.

- Specific injuries are noted.

5.

Victim Identification Procedures

-If identity of the victim is unknown.

-If the victim cannot be determined through visual means.

-Fingerprints, Dental examination, X-rays and clothing.

-Photographing the victim.

6.

Internal Examination of Body

-Description of body organs.

- Any abnormality or injury observed.

 Every organ of the body is examined and the results are recorded

-The heart, liver, lungs, and pancreas, etc.

7.

General Description of Body Organs

-This phase is often incorporated into Step 6

(described in step 6)

8.

Specific Description of Wounds or Injuries

-descriptions of wounds or injuries that are related to specific types of trauma.

Ex) Handgun or rifle, Blunt force instrument, Fracture, Asphyxia, hanging, strangling or drowning, etc.

9.

Establish Evidential Chain-of-custody

-Mentions If the autopsy is related to a known criminal case.

-Evidence is turned over to law enforcement personnel if needed (criminal cases).

10.

Record of Specimens Retained and Examinations Performed

-Any evidence retained.

Ex) clothing, bullets or bullet fragments, and suspected gun powder residue from the victim's skin or clothing.

-Also could include Toxicological specimens.

Ex) blood, urine or body tissues.