Ask Dr. J
This is a question / answer column in which we try to answer questions you may
have pertaining to the Office of County Coroner, Medical Examiners Office,
Pathology, Forensics or our jobs dealing with death investigations in Missouri.
This column will not address any individual case, agency or person. If you have
a question you would like answered, send it to our email ewilson@fidnet.com
Dear Dr. J:
I see that strangulation can cause petechiae
hemorrhage. Does suffocation cause petechiae hemorrhage; for instance,
suffocation by having an item placed over the face such as a pillow.
Bill G.
East Lyme, CT.
Dear Bill G:
Petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages) are routinely present in the eyes of a victim of manual strangulation. They are seen on both the bulbs of the eyes and inside the eyelids. They are often found in suicidal hanging, but are commonly seen in violent accidental chest compression, such as traffic accident. It is important to remember that petechiae are not specific for asphyxiation and may be seen in cases of sudden natural death and occasionally in CRP attempts. Hope this helps answer your question.
Dr. J
Dear Dr. J:
We are a funeral home in the Atlanta area, and we
are working with a family who has had a death in Missouri. The local Coroner
informed us that after 6 hours he has the authority to authorize embalming,
without permission from the next of kin.
He indicated that this was a State Law. Please review this practice and
kindly respond to the accuracy of his statement so we can address this with
this coroner / funeral director.
Warmest regards,
Castella Funeral Home
Syrma, Georgia
Dear Castellaw Funeral Home:
The coroner is giving you the correct information. I have given you word for word below. You can verify by going to our website at www.mcmea.org and Missouri State Statutes and go to Chapter 58. He is correct in his actions. Hope this helps answer your question.
Eddie Wilson
MCMEA Executive Director
Missouri State
Statute RSMo. 58.375 #3 states: If no family member or legal representative can
be found within six hours, the coroner shall order the embalming of the
deceased body and the cost of such embalming shall be paid by a family member
or the deceased's legal representative when found.
Dear Dr. J:
After a suicide how long do you wait until your office releases a gun, back to
the family?
Tom S., Maryville, Missouri
Dear Tom S.:
My office never keeps a weapon. The weapon is turned over to the law enforcement agency, which is involved in the case. Once the case is closed, law enforcement may or may not check with me prior to releasing the weapon. There are no rules for this. Of course, if there is something suspicious about the death, the weapon is kept as long as is needed. Once I make a ruling I have no need for the weapon's retention.
Dear Dr. J:
If a driver is charged and convicted with vehicular homicide, what should the
manner of death be listed as on the certificate of death?
Randy B., Harrisonville, Missouri
Dear Randy B.:
I rule all deaths as accidental when someone dies in a traffic accident. If someone is convicted of vehicular homicide I do not change the death certificate. Of course, if I know someone intentional meant to kill another person with his or her vehicle the manner would be homicide.
Dear Dr. J:
I would like a list of all of the
Pennsylvania coroners in the following counties, if it is possible and also a
phone number to contact same. 1. Bradford 2. Susquhanna 3. Wayne 4. Wyoming 5.
Sullivan 6. Montour 7. Columbia 8. Luzerne 9. Lakawana Thank You In Advance.
E8620
Dear E8620:
Sorry, I only have access to Missouri Coroners and Medical Examiners. I would
suggest contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as they would have
the information that you are requesting as to the names and phone numbers.
Dear Dr. J:
I am a junior in high school. I am interested in human pathology and in
becoming a coroner. Currently, I am a junior and I have been looking for the
"right" colleges to go to. But to be quite honest, I am lost in what
I should be focusing my studies on. I would like to request information on the
career and its courses in studies.
Kanayo T.
Dear Kanayo T.:
I would suggest on discussing this with your high school counselor. They would
be able to provide you with information on pathology studies. As for becoming a
coroner I would contact the local county clerk and request information
concerning the office of coroner and training requirements for the office.
Dear Dr. J:
I live in Pennsylvania and would like to know if it is possible to obtain an
autopsy report / death certificate as a non-family member? And how would I go
about it? I had a close friend die a year ago and the family has not released
any information on his cause of death. I know that an autopsy was performed
though. Can I access those records somehow?
Jessica, Pennsylvania
Dear Jessica,
I would suggest contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Vital Records,
Coroner, Medical Examiner, or Pathologist request information on open records
for non-family members. The local newspaper may have run a news article
concerning the death.
Dear Dr. J:
Where can I find out the # of deaths related to Hirschsprung's disease in the
state of Mo., and to pin point it down more, by county (if possible) for the
years 1993 through 1998?
Carroll J., Missouri
Dear Carroll J.:
The Missouri Department of Health / Vital Records should have the information
that you are requesting for those years. The Missouri Department of Health
death records can be contacted at (573)-751-6370.
Dr. J.,
While I can’t spell it … Petichial Hemorrhage … my questions: Is this condition present only in cases of strangulation? If not, what would other circumstances be which would cause it?
Thank
you so much,
Golda
Dear Golda:
Petechiae (pronounced pe te ke e) hemorrhage is not only found in strangulation deaths, but it is also found in some cardiac deaths.
Dr. J.,
Thank you so much for that quick and through response. I asked because my mother dropped dead from a heart attack. Her husband suffered from stroke damage and was a large man who had odd behaviors brought on by his strokes. I feared she was killed by him AND the heart attack. Perhaps a strangulation, which brought on the attack. This, combined with the autopsy results gives me comfort. The autopsy was limited and done in a very small community. Not that they aren’t capable, but sometimes the whole story doesn’t get fleshed out. Regardless … thank you. Your professional and kind service is much appreciated.
God Bless,
Golda