Post by Admin Horan on Jun 5, 2017 11:31:54 GMT -6
This is a transcript of Johnny Sharp's autopsy report:
JOHNNY SHARP AUTOPSY
GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND EXTERNAL EXAMINATION
This is the body of a fairly well developed and nourished white male
appearing to be of approximately the stated age of 15. Rigor is complete
and mild. Lividity is present dorsally, and it no longer blanches.
The body is cold to the touch.
The scalp is covered by fairly long, tan hair. The pupils are round
and equal. The irides are blue. The sclerae are white. The nose
contains liquid and clotted blood. The mouth contains a small amount
of blood. Teeth are in good repair. The neck shows trauma to be
described, as does the expanded chest. The abdomen is flat. The
external genitals are unremarkable. The subject is circumcised. The
anus shows no dilatation or injury. The thighs, knees, legs and feet
all show no injury. The hands show adhesive marks in areas of ligature.
The base of the long finger of the left hand shows dorsally a 3/4 inch
zone of bruising, and the hands otherwise show no evidence of trauma.
LIGATURES
Ligatures are present about the wrists and about the ankles. The ankle
ligature consists of a white electric double cord showing a male end
on one end. The opposite end has been cut. This is the end that
extended to the wire on Dana Wingate. (Information from Detective
Forcino). This wire is looped about the upper ankles 2 times. The
right ankle is anterior to the left one. The left ankle is rotated
externally and the right ankle is in anatomical position. The tie of
the ligature is present laterally and anteriorly over the right ankle.
The ligature is appropriately labeled and tied and cut anteriorly.
The ankle ligature is quite tight. It extends about the individual's
socks and in part encompasses the lower portion of the left posterior
leg of the sweat pants the individual is wearing, as well as the right
posterior leg of the sweat pants.
WRIST LIGATURE
The wrist ligature is composed of multiple layers of adhesive tape
about the wrists and proximal hands. The hands are tied in this fashion,
anteriorly, nearly in a praying position although the fingers of the
right hand cover the index finger and thumb on the left. Many of the
fingers of the left curve around the medial aspect of the right hand
at the base of the right little finger. Considerable blood is spattered
over the hands and over the tape of the hand ligature. This tape
ligature is cut over the upper portion in the area between the joined
hands.
A portion of the tape encircles the entire right wrist, whereas the tape
about the left wrist does not circle the ventral aspect of the left
wrist. The encircling tape on the right wrist is cut on the superior
margin.
PAR
Continued on page 2
The skin beneath the taped hands and wrist areas is free of blood,
whereas the margins of the zones of ligature mark show blood extending
as previously described onto the entire hand.
Caught up on the tape, on the dorsal and on the ventral surface of the
hands as well as within the palms of both hands are multiple hairs or
hair—like structures, generally light tan in color, sometimes somewhat
brown in color, and in one instance one of the hair—like structures is
whitish in color.
Attached to the right anterior sleeve of the subject's jacket are
several more hairs. They are attached in portions of blood clot in this
location.
CLOTHING
The subject wears a sleeveless light blue ski vest which is fairly well
saturated with blood anteriorly. Beneath this exists a darker blue
sweat jacket with a zipper down the front. In the left anterior
chest of this jacket exists an oblique hole measuring an estimated
l/2 inch in length. It occurs approximately over the area of the left
breast. The pants are sweat pants with a white stripe down the sides
(5 white stripes). The remainder of the pants are blue and the pants
are pulled up. Beneath these pants are a red pair of athletic shorts
stating "Groton Physical Ed." beneath a shield, and in the shield in ink
is the name "Shiela Sharp". Beneath these red P.E. pants is a pair of
jockey shorts which are also pulled up. They are white in color and show
a blue band about their top.
Beneath the sweat jacket exists a tank top net or mesh shirt showing a
defect in the upper anterior near mid portion near the defect previously
described in the garment exterior to this tank top shirt.
At 11:OO A.M. the following entities are given to Detective Forcino:
the lower ligature, electric cord, the hand and wrist ligature, white
adhesive tape, the hairs from the hands, the hairs from the anterior
right external jacket sleeve and all the clothing just described. The
hairs have been placed in appropriately labeled and sealed plastic
envelopes.
BLOOD PATTERNS 4:15 P.M.
The anterior neck is covered by a thick dry sheen of blood and the face
is covered by a thick sheen of blood, and blood has dripped down over the
posterior hair where some moist blood is still present. The hands are
both covered by considerable blood on both surfaces, except for the area
of previously described ligature. Some sheen of blood is present on the
arms and forearms in a thin, patchy fashion.
PRIMARY INCISION AND BODY CAVITIES
The primary incision is Y-shaped. Tone of the skin is good. The sub-
cutaneous fat is approximately l/4 inch in the infra-umbilical region.
The musculature is well developed. The cavities show no excess fluid
or adhesions.
CHEST WOUNDS
The anterior chest shows 2 stab wounds. The largest wound is 5/8 inch
and its lower edge is at the nipple line. It is 2 inches from the
PAR
Continued on page 3
anterior midline. It extends subcutaneously and into anterior chest
muscle, from right to left and down. The upper edge of the wound is
slightly sharper than the lower edge. The track with mild pressure is
approximately 4-l/2 inches long through subcutaneous tissue. Above and
medial to this wound is a 5/8 inch stab down to underlying rib. It is
l-l/2 inches above the nipple line and l/2 inch from the midline.
Neither of these wounds extends into the chest cavity.
HEAD AND FACIAL TRAUMA
The head and face show marked trauma. The face shows, over the right
side involving the outer aspect of the right eyebrow and running in line
with it, a deep roughened laceration in a bruise zone. Overall the
bruise area is 5 inches in greatest dimension. The laceration is 1-1/2
inches. Just below this, over the upper outer eyelid, is another lacera-
tion. It is 1 inch in greatest dimension. The orbit underlying the upper
laceration shows an easily palpable fracture.
Considerable bruising involves the upper and lower eyelids on the left side
The left side of the scalp shows numerous lacerations (7). Some of these
are curved, some are straight, and one is stellate. They occur from the
frontal to the occipital region and vary in length from l/2 inch up to
l-l/2 inches in greatest dimension. See the drawing and the photographs
for details of these wounds.
The right side of the scalp shows a deep irregularly outlined stellate
wound with irregular abraded edges measuring 1-1/2 inches in greatest
dimension. It is 1-1/2 inches above the right ear and in line with the
posterior ear. A cut mark is present in the mid portion of the external
aspect of the right pinna [auricle.] It is 3/4 inch in greatest dimension. A
cutting stab wound occurs just behind the lower portion of the right ear.
It is 1-1/2 inches long. It is oblique and extends downward for 3/4 inch.
The posterior scalp at the level of the lower ear shows a 1-1/4 inch
laceration with abrasion about its edges. It is horizontal.
ORGAN DESCRIPTION
HEART: The heart appears of normal size. The epicardial surface is
glistening and smooth. The coronary vessels are unremarkable. The
myocardium is firm and dull red, the endocardium glistening, and the
valves show no lesions.
LUNGS: The lungs appear only minimally increased in weight. They are
both generally fluffy, air containing, and show only focal zones of surface
atelectasis. Areas of aspiration of blood are noted on the cut surface
with patchy zones of reddish discoloration. Bronchi contain small amounts
of bloody mucus. The trachea contains a small amount of similar material.
The pulmonary arteries show no premortem clot.
LIVER: The liver appears to be of normal size. The surface is smooth. The
edge is sharp. On section the markings are maintained. The extrahepatic
ducts and gallbladder are unremarkable. The liver is tannish—red in color.
PANCREAS, SPLEEN, AND ADRENALS: The pancreas is lobulated, firm,and pink—
ish in color. The spleen is approximately 50 grams in weight. It is dull
red and firm. The adrenals are unremarkable.
KIDNEYS: The kidneys are of normal size. The capsules strip easily,
PAR
Continued on page 4
leaving smooth surfaces. On section the cortices are easily differentiated
from the medullas. The renal pelves are unremarkable. The urinary
bladder contains approximately an ounce of clear yellow urine.
MAJOR VESSELS: The aorta is free of sclerosis. The vena cava contains
no premortem clot.
G. I. TRACT: The esophagus is unremarkable. The stomach contains
approximately 5 ounces of a thick, somewhat syrupy reddish-brown liquid.
The small and large bowels show no significant features. The appendix
is present.
HEAD AND BRAIN
Beneath the wounds labeled 5 and 6 on the diagram on the left side of
the individual's head exist 2 round depressed skull fractures. Each
is 1/4 inch across, and they are connected by an isthmus of fracture
which is also depressed and is approximately 1/4 inch wide. The
depression of the superior fracture is 1/2 inch. Brain tissue is
protruding from this superior fracture.
Another nearly similar but ovoid depressed fracture occurs under
laceration #1 on the diagram on the left frontal region. This 1 inch
fracture is depressed for approximately 1/4 inch.
A thin sheen of subdural blood, approximately 50 cc. overall, is present
over the left cerebral convexity. The dura has been torn away from the
inner aspect of the skull. There is no epidural hemorrhage. There is
rather marked bluish discoloration of both petrous ridges. A fracture
line involves the base of the middle fossa on the left side, and another
involves the middle fossa on the right. They extend upward over the
convexities, but do not extend to the midline.
The round fracture over the left frontal region shows multiple layers
of bone extending into the superficial brain. These circle-like segments
of bone on the inner-most aspect measure up to approximately 5/8 inch
in width.
The mid superior parietal region shows a depressed stellate fracture
1/2 inch in greatest dimension.
The brain weighs an estimated 15OO grams. Gyri are markedly flattened,
sulci narrow and shallow. The left side of the brain is covered by
diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage. The cerebellum is surfaced by minimal
patchy subaraohnoid hemorrhage. The vessels at the base are unremarkable.
The uncal gyri both show notches, and the cerebellum shows pressure cone.
Beneath the two round depressed fractures of the posterior left parietal
region exist similar sized and shaped round defects in the brain,
extending inwards for approximately 1/2 inch. Marked hemorrhage oc-
curs at the edges of these defects and these lacerations extend down to
underlying white matter of the posterolateral parietal lobe. Marked
bruising involves the lateral frontal lobe on the left side in an area
up to approximately 2-1/2 inches in greatest dimension. Bruising also
involves the lateral parietal area, in it mid portion, in a l-inch
zone on the left side. The undersurface of the brain shows no contusion
zones. The ventricular system is collapsed and contains pink spinal
fluid.
Focal zones of contusion hemorrhage involve the under surface of both
sides of the cerebellum in areas up to l/8 inch in greatest dimension.
PAR
Continued on page 5
NECK AND NECK ORGANS
The neck shows, to the right of the midline, a butterfly-shaped
deep cutting stab wound 2-1/4 x 5/8 inches in greatest dimension. It
occurs over the mid thyroid cartilage. This wound extends down to
totally divide the underlying thyroid cartilage and extends into the
lumen of the larynx in a large defect measuring approximately 2 inches
across. This defect contains blood and clot and is oblique.
The skin just below the major slashing wound shows a l/8 inch puncture
defect extending just into the underlying tissue, and showing a 1-1/2
inch scratch-like tail which is somewhat irregular and oblique, and extends
from the near midline towards the right side.
The cutting stab actually extends completely through the larynx into
the prespinal fascia, and extends between cervical spine 3 and 4 on the
left side. The overall depth of this track is approximately 2 inches
without pressure. Marked hemorrhage is present in the prespinal fascia.
The stab wound through the thyroid cartilage extends into the larynx at
the level just above the vocal fold. The laryngeal cartilages are other-
wise intact. The hyoid bone shows no fracture. The laryngeal lumen
contains a moderate amount of blood.
A defect is present in the right carotid artery and jugular vein along
the edge of the track through the larynx. The defect is approximately
l/4 inch in the vein and l/8 in the artery. The left carotid shows no
defect.
PROVISIONAL DIAGNOSES:
l. Stab wound of right carotid artery and vein and larynx.
2. Multiple depressed fractures of skull with lacerations and
contusions of brain and brain swelling.
5. Stab wounds of chest with involvement of soft tissue.
4. Ligatures of wrists and ankles.
5. Fracture of right orbital bone.
MATERIAL TO PATHOLOGY: Representative tissues.3
MATERIAL TO CBL TOXICOLOGY LABORATORY: Heart blood and urine for Toxicology screen.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY: Detective Forcino and Pierce Rooney, M. D.
X—RAYS BY: Sacramento Portable X-ray Service.
MATERIAL TO DETECTIVE FORCINO AT 5:40 P.M.: Head hair, pubic hair, oral and rectal
swabs, right and left hand fingernail scrapes, hair from hands (the hair is embedded in dried blood on the base of the third finger. It was light blond and fiber-like.
PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT: Louise Nichols.
ASSISTING PATHOLOGIST: Rick Baier, M. D.
ALSO TO DETECTIVE EORCINO: l gray topped tube of blood.
Pierce A. Rooney, M.D., Pathologist
HEART: The coronary vessels, epicardium and myocardium all show
no significant changes except in one zone where myocardial fibers
criss—cross in a somewhat haphazard fashion.Nuclei are frequently
enlarged. The interstices are sometimes slightly fibrous and an
occasional scattered mononuclear cell is noted in the interstitial
tissue.
LUNGS: Focal zones of atelectasis are present. Bronchi show some
desquamated epithelial cells.
LARYNX: Sections of the wound in the larynx show few attached
red cells along the margins. Red cells are also attached to the
epithelial mucosal surface.
LIVER: The liver shows mild autolytic change with some loss of
nuclei and otherwise the architecture is preserved.
BRAIN: Multiple zones of laceration and contusion are present with
hemorrhages in such regions and jagged margins in areas of laceration.
In one area of laceration, a particle of bone is indriven into the
laceration. Petechiae are frequently present peripheral to these
traumatized regions.
ORAL SMEAR: The oral smear is composed uniform, mature squamous
cells. The background is essentially clean with only an occasional
bacterial colony.
RECTAL SMEAR: Scattered mature epithelial cells are present. Some
amorphous debris and bacteria are noted in the background.
DIAGNOSES:
l. Stab wound, right carotid artery and vein and larynx.
2. Multiple depressed skull fractures with lacerations and
contusions of brain and brain swelling.
3. Stab wounds of chest with involvement of soft tissues.
4. Fracture of right orbital bone.
5. Ligatures of wrists and ankles.
CAUSE OF DEATH:
STAB WOUND OF RIGHT CAROTID ARTERY, VEIN AND LARYNX.
Pierce A. Rooney, M.D., Pathologist
JOHNNY SHARP AUTOPSY
GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND EXTERNAL EXAMINATION
This is the body of a fairly well developed and nourished white male
appearing to be of approximately the stated age of 15. Rigor is complete
and mild. Lividity is present dorsally, and it no longer blanches.
The body is cold to the touch.
The scalp is covered by fairly long, tan hair. The pupils are round
and equal. The irides are blue. The sclerae are white. The nose
contains liquid and clotted blood. The mouth contains a small amount
of blood. Teeth are in good repair. The neck shows trauma to be
described, as does the expanded chest. The abdomen is flat. The
external genitals are unremarkable. The subject is circumcised. The
anus shows no dilatation or injury. The thighs, knees, legs and feet
all show no injury. The hands show adhesive marks in areas of ligature.
The base of the long finger of the left hand shows dorsally a 3/4 inch
zone of bruising, and the hands otherwise show no evidence of trauma.
LIGATURES
Ligatures are present about the wrists and about the ankles. The ankle
ligature consists of a white electric double cord showing a male end
on one end. The opposite end has been cut. This is the end that
extended to the wire on Dana Wingate. (Information from Detective
Forcino). This wire is looped about the upper ankles 2 times. The
right ankle is anterior to the left one. The left ankle is rotated
externally and the right ankle is in anatomical position. The tie of
the ligature is present laterally and anteriorly over the right ankle.
The ligature is appropriately labeled and tied and cut anteriorly.
The ankle ligature is quite tight. It extends about the individual's
socks and in part encompasses the lower portion of the left posterior
leg of the sweat pants the individual is wearing, as well as the right
posterior leg of the sweat pants.
WRIST LIGATURE
The wrist ligature is composed of multiple layers of adhesive tape
about the wrists and proximal hands. The hands are tied in this fashion,
anteriorly, nearly in a praying position although the fingers of the
right hand cover the index finger and thumb on the left. Many of the
fingers of the left curve around the medial aspect of the right hand
at the base of the right little finger. Considerable blood is spattered
over the hands and over the tape of the hand ligature. This tape
ligature is cut over the upper portion in the area between the joined
hands.
A portion of the tape encircles the entire right wrist, whereas the tape
about the left wrist does not circle the ventral aspect of the left
wrist. The encircling tape on the right wrist is cut on the superior
margin.
PAR
Continued on page 2
The skin beneath the taped hands and wrist areas is free of blood,
whereas the margins of the zones of ligature mark show blood extending
as previously described onto the entire hand.
Caught up on the tape, on the dorsal and on the ventral surface of the
hands as well as within the palms of both hands are multiple hairs or
hair—like structures, generally light tan in color, sometimes somewhat
brown in color, and in one instance one of the hair—like structures is
whitish in color.
Attached to the right anterior sleeve of the subject's jacket are
several more hairs. They are attached in portions of blood clot in this
location.
CLOTHING
The subject wears a sleeveless light blue ski vest which is fairly well
saturated with blood anteriorly. Beneath this exists a darker blue
sweat jacket with a zipper down the front. In the left anterior
chest of this jacket exists an oblique hole measuring an estimated
l/2 inch in length. It occurs approximately over the area of the left
breast. The pants are sweat pants with a white stripe down the sides
(5 white stripes). The remainder of the pants are blue and the pants
are pulled up. Beneath these pants are a red pair of athletic shorts
stating "Groton Physical Ed." beneath a shield, and in the shield in ink
is the name "Shiela Sharp". Beneath these red P.E. pants is a pair of
jockey shorts which are also pulled up. They are white in color and show
a blue band about their top.
Beneath the sweat jacket exists a tank top net or mesh shirt showing a
defect in the upper anterior near mid portion near the defect previously
described in the garment exterior to this tank top shirt.
At 11:OO A.M. the following entities are given to Detective Forcino:
the lower ligature, electric cord, the hand and wrist ligature, white
adhesive tape, the hairs from the hands, the hairs from the anterior
right external jacket sleeve and all the clothing just described. The
hairs have been placed in appropriately labeled and sealed plastic
envelopes.
BLOOD PATTERNS 4:15 P.M.
The anterior neck is covered by a thick dry sheen of blood and the face
is covered by a thick sheen of blood, and blood has dripped down over the
posterior hair where some moist blood is still present. The hands are
both covered by considerable blood on both surfaces, except for the area
of previously described ligature. Some sheen of blood is present on the
arms and forearms in a thin, patchy fashion.
PRIMARY INCISION AND BODY CAVITIES
The primary incision is Y-shaped. Tone of the skin is good. The sub-
cutaneous fat is approximately l/4 inch in the infra-umbilical region.
The musculature is well developed. The cavities show no excess fluid
or adhesions.
CHEST WOUNDS
The anterior chest shows 2 stab wounds. The largest wound is 5/8 inch
and its lower edge is at the nipple line. It is 2 inches from the
PAR
Continued on page 3
anterior midline. It extends subcutaneously and into anterior chest
muscle, from right to left and down. The upper edge of the wound is
slightly sharper than the lower edge. The track with mild pressure is
approximately 4-l/2 inches long through subcutaneous tissue. Above and
medial to this wound is a 5/8 inch stab down to underlying rib. It is
l-l/2 inches above the nipple line and l/2 inch from the midline.
Neither of these wounds extends into the chest cavity.
HEAD AND FACIAL TRAUMA
The head and face show marked trauma. The face shows, over the right
side involving the outer aspect of the right eyebrow and running in line
with it, a deep roughened laceration in a bruise zone. Overall the
bruise area is 5 inches in greatest dimension. The laceration is 1-1/2
inches. Just below this, over the upper outer eyelid, is another lacera-
tion. It is 1 inch in greatest dimension. The orbit underlying the upper
laceration shows an easily palpable fracture.
Considerable bruising involves the upper and lower eyelids on the left side
The left side of the scalp shows numerous lacerations (7). Some of these
are curved, some are straight, and one is stellate. They occur from the
frontal to the occipital region and vary in length from l/2 inch up to
l-l/2 inches in greatest dimension. See the drawing and the photographs
for details of these wounds.
The right side of the scalp shows a deep irregularly outlined stellate
wound with irregular abraded edges measuring 1-1/2 inches in greatest
dimension. It is 1-1/2 inches above the right ear and in line with the
posterior ear. A cut mark is present in the mid portion of the external
aspect of the right pinna [auricle.] It is 3/4 inch in greatest dimension. A
cutting stab wound occurs just behind the lower portion of the right ear.
It is 1-1/2 inches long. It is oblique and extends downward for 3/4 inch.
The posterior scalp at the level of the lower ear shows a 1-1/4 inch
laceration with abrasion about its edges. It is horizontal.
ORGAN DESCRIPTION
HEART: The heart appears of normal size. The epicardial surface is
glistening and smooth. The coronary vessels are unremarkable. The
myocardium is firm and dull red, the endocardium glistening, and the
valves show no lesions.
LUNGS: The lungs appear only minimally increased in weight. They are
both generally fluffy, air containing, and show only focal zones of surface
atelectasis. Areas of aspiration of blood are noted on the cut surface
with patchy zones of reddish discoloration. Bronchi contain small amounts
of bloody mucus. The trachea contains a small amount of similar material.
The pulmonary arteries show no premortem clot.
LIVER: The liver appears to be of normal size. The surface is smooth. The
edge is sharp. On section the markings are maintained. The extrahepatic
ducts and gallbladder are unremarkable. The liver is tannish—red in color.
PANCREAS, SPLEEN, AND ADRENALS: The pancreas is lobulated, firm,and pink—
ish in color. The spleen is approximately 50 grams in weight. It is dull
red and firm. The adrenals are unremarkable.
KIDNEYS: The kidneys are of normal size. The capsules strip easily,
PAR
Continued on page 4
leaving smooth surfaces. On section the cortices are easily differentiated
from the medullas. The renal pelves are unremarkable. The urinary
bladder contains approximately an ounce of clear yellow urine.
MAJOR VESSELS: The aorta is free of sclerosis. The vena cava contains
no premortem clot.
G. I. TRACT: The esophagus is unremarkable. The stomach contains
approximately 5 ounces of a thick, somewhat syrupy reddish-brown liquid.
The small and large bowels show no significant features. The appendix
is present.
HEAD AND BRAIN
Beneath the wounds labeled 5 and 6 on the diagram on the left side of
the individual's head exist 2 round depressed skull fractures. Each
is 1/4 inch across, and they are connected by an isthmus of fracture
which is also depressed and is approximately 1/4 inch wide. The
depression of the superior fracture is 1/2 inch. Brain tissue is
protruding from this superior fracture.
Another nearly similar but ovoid depressed fracture occurs under
laceration #1 on the diagram on the left frontal region. This 1 inch
fracture is depressed for approximately 1/4 inch.
A thin sheen of subdural blood, approximately 50 cc. overall, is present
over the left cerebral convexity. The dura has been torn away from the
inner aspect of the skull. There is no epidural hemorrhage. There is
rather marked bluish discoloration of both petrous ridges. A fracture
line involves the base of the middle fossa on the left side, and another
involves the middle fossa on the right. They extend upward over the
convexities, but do not extend to the midline.
The round fracture over the left frontal region shows multiple layers
of bone extending into the superficial brain. These circle-like segments
of bone on the inner-most aspect measure up to approximately 5/8 inch
in width.
The mid superior parietal region shows a depressed stellate fracture
1/2 inch in greatest dimension.
The brain weighs an estimated 15OO grams. Gyri are markedly flattened,
sulci narrow and shallow. The left side of the brain is covered by
diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage. The cerebellum is surfaced by minimal
patchy subaraohnoid hemorrhage. The vessels at the base are unremarkable.
The uncal gyri both show notches, and the cerebellum shows pressure cone.
Beneath the two round depressed fractures of the posterior left parietal
region exist similar sized and shaped round defects in the brain,
extending inwards for approximately 1/2 inch. Marked hemorrhage oc-
curs at the edges of these defects and these lacerations extend down to
underlying white matter of the posterolateral parietal lobe. Marked
bruising involves the lateral frontal lobe on the left side in an area
up to approximately 2-1/2 inches in greatest dimension. Bruising also
involves the lateral parietal area, in it mid portion, in a l-inch
zone on the left side. The undersurface of the brain shows no contusion
zones. The ventricular system is collapsed and contains pink spinal
fluid.
Focal zones of contusion hemorrhage involve the under surface of both
sides of the cerebellum in areas up to l/8 inch in greatest dimension.
PAR
Continued on page 5
NECK AND NECK ORGANS
The neck shows, to the right of the midline, a butterfly-shaped
deep cutting stab wound 2-1/4 x 5/8 inches in greatest dimension. It
occurs over the mid thyroid cartilage. This wound extends down to
totally divide the underlying thyroid cartilage and extends into the
lumen of the larynx in a large defect measuring approximately 2 inches
across. This defect contains blood and clot and is oblique.
The skin just below the major slashing wound shows a l/8 inch puncture
defect extending just into the underlying tissue, and showing a 1-1/2
inch scratch-like tail which is somewhat irregular and oblique, and extends
from the near midline towards the right side.
The cutting stab actually extends completely through the larynx into
the prespinal fascia, and extends between cervical spine 3 and 4 on the
left side. The overall depth of this track is approximately 2 inches
without pressure. Marked hemorrhage is present in the prespinal fascia.
The stab wound through the thyroid cartilage extends into the larynx at
the level just above the vocal fold. The laryngeal cartilages are other-
wise intact. The hyoid bone shows no fracture. The laryngeal lumen
contains a moderate amount of blood.
A defect is present in the right carotid artery and jugular vein along
the edge of the track through the larynx. The defect is approximately
l/4 inch in the vein and l/8 in the artery. The left carotid shows no
defect.
PROVISIONAL DIAGNOSES:
l. Stab wound of right carotid artery and vein and larynx.
2. Multiple depressed fractures of skull with lacerations and
contusions of brain and brain swelling.
5. Stab wounds of chest with involvement of soft tissue.
4. Ligatures of wrists and ankles.
5. Fracture of right orbital bone.
MATERIAL TO PATHOLOGY: Representative tissues.3
MATERIAL TO CBL TOXICOLOGY LABORATORY: Heart blood and urine for Toxicology screen.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY: Detective Forcino and Pierce Rooney, M. D.
X—RAYS BY: Sacramento Portable X-ray Service.
MATERIAL TO DETECTIVE FORCINO AT 5:40 P.M.: Head hair, pubic hair, oral and rectal
swabs, right and left hand fingernail scrapes, hair from hands (the hair is embedded in dried blood on the base of the third finger. It was light blond and fiber-like.
PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT: Louise Nichols.
ASSISTING PATHOLOGIST: Rick Baier, M. D.
ALSO TO DETECTIVE EORCINO: l gray topped tube of blood.
Pierce A. Rooney, M.D., Pathologist
HEART: The coronary vessels, epicardium and myocardium all show
no significant changes except in one zone where myocardial fibers
criss—cross in a somewhat haphazard fashion.Nuclei are frequently
enlarged. The interstices are sometimes slightly fibrous and an
occasional scattered mononuclear cell is noted in the interstitial
tissue.
LUNGS: Focal zones of atelectasis are present. Bronchi show some
desquamated epithelial cells.
LARYNX: Sections of the wound in the larynx show few attached
red cells along the margins. Red cells are also attached to the
epithelial mucosal surface.
LIVER: The liver shows mild autolytic change with some loss of
nuclei and otherwise the architecture is preserved.
BRAIN: Multiple zones of laceration and contusion are present with
hemorrhages in such regions and jagged margins in areas of laceration.
In one area of laceration, a particle of bone is indriven into the
laceration. Petechiae are frequently present peripheral to these
traumatized regions.
ORAL SMEAR: The oral smear is composed uniform, mature squamous
cells. The background is essentially clean with only an occasional
bacterial colony.
RECTAL SMEAR: Scattered mature epithelial cells are present. Some
amorphous debris and bacteria are noted in the background.
DIAGNOSES:
l. Stab wound, right carotid artery and vein and larynx.
2. Multiple depressed skull fractures with lacerations and
contusions of brain and brain swelling.
3. Stab wounds of chest with involvement of soft tissues.
4. Fracture of right orbital bone.
5. Ligatures of wrists and ankles.
CAUSE OF DEATH:
STAB WOUND OF RIGHT CAROTID ARTERY, VEIN AND LARYNX.
Pierce A. Rooney, M.D., Pathologist