MEDICO – LEGAL TERMINOLOGIES

Definition of Terms

Abortion - is the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a
fetus or embryo before viability.

Algor mortis (Latin: algor - coldness; mortis - death) is the reduction in body temperature
following death.

      Rigor mortis (Latin: rigor - stiffness, mortis - death") is one

      of the recognizable signs of death, caused by chemical changes
      in the muscles after death, causing the limbs of the corpse to
      become stiff and difficult to move or manipulate.

      Importance Of Rigor Mortis

      - Rigor mortis is utilized to approximate the time of death.
        Generalized muscular contractionsoccur from 3 to 6 hours
        until 36 hours.

Autopsy - a post-mortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of

disease. Autopsy is derived from the Greek word "autos" - oneself and "opsis" - sight/view.

      Who are authorized to perform autopsy

      1. Health officers
      2. Medical officer of law enforcement agencies
      3. Members of the medical staff of accredited hospitals

      When Autopsy performed

      1. Written request of nearest kin to ascertain cause of death
      2. Order of competent court, mayor, prosecutor
      3. Written request of a law enforcement officer
      4. When required by special law
      5. SolGen, prosecutor to determine cause of death

      Principal Aim Of An Autopsy

      1. To determine the cause of death
      2. To determine the state of health of the person before he or
         she died,
      3. To determine whether any medical diagnosis and treatment
         before death was appropriate.

      Types of Autopsies
      1. Medico-Legal Autopsy or Forensic or coroner's - autopsies
         seek to find the cause and manner of death and to identify
         the decedent.
      2. Clinical or Pathological autopsies are performed to diagnose
         a particular disease or for research purposes.
      3. Anatomical or Academic Autopsies - are performed by students
         of anatomy for study purpose only.
      4. Virtual or Medical Imaging Autopsies - are performed utilizing
         imaging technology only, primarily magnetic resonance
         imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).

      Forensic Autopsy - is used to determine the cause and manner

      of death.

Anatomy - the branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals,
and other living organisms, especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of parts.
Biochemistry - the branch of science concerned with the chemical and physico-chemical
processes and substances which occur within living organisms.

Cadaveric Spasm - also known as postmortem spasm, instantaneous rigor, cataleptic

rigidity, or instantaneous rigidity, is a rare form of muscular stiffening that occurs at the
moment of death, persists into the period of rigor mortis and can be mistaken for rigor
mortis.
      Cadaveric spasm occurs immediately after death and is useful to ascertain the
circumstances of death.

Cerebral Concussion – there is a brief loss of consciousness and sometimes memory

after a head injury that doesn’t cause obvious physical damage.

Cerebral Contusion – they are bruises to the brain, usually caused by a direct, strong blow
to the head. They are more serious than concussions.

Circulatory System - also called the cardiovascular system, is an organ system that
permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients (such as amino acids and electrolytes),
oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, and blood cells to and from cells in the body to nourish
it and help to fight diseases, stabilize body temperature and pH, and to maintain
homeostasis.

Contempt of Court - any willful disobedience to or disregard of a court order or any

misconduct in the presence of a court action that interferes with a judge's ability to
administer justice or that insults the dignity of the court. Punishable by fine or imprisonment
or both.

Contusion - also called a bruise, is a type of hematoma of tissue in which capillaries and
sometimes venules are damaged by trauma, allowing blood to seep, hemorrhage, or
extravasate into the surrounding interstitial tissues.

Death - Complete cessation of all cardio- pulmonary (heart-lungs) and/or cessation of brain
activity. Death is the termination of all biological functions that sustain a living organism.

      Kinds of Death
      1. Somatic or Clinical Death - permanent cessation of all vital
         bodily functions.
      2. Molecular or Cellular Death - refers to the death of cells.
         3 to 6 hours after cessation of life.
      3. Apparent death or State of Suspended Animation - a state in
         which the processes of the body (such as blood circulation)
         stop or become very slow for a period of time while a person
         or animal is unconscious.

      Leading Causes of Death In The World

      1. Ischaemic heart disease
      2. Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases)
      3. Lower respiratory infections
      4. Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

      Signs Of Death
      1. Cessation of heart action and circulation
      2. Cessation of respiration
      3. Cooling of the body (Algor Mortis) - The temperature of 15–20 degrees
Fahrenheit is considered as ascertain sign of death.
      4. Loss of motor power
      5. Loss of sensory power
      6. Changes in the skin
      7. Changes in and about the eye - There is loss of corneal reflex
Declaration of Tokyo - is a set of international guidelines for physicians concerning torture
and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in relation to detention and
imprisonment, which was adopted in October 1975 during the 29th General assembly of the
World Medical Association.

Defloration - is the laceration or rupture of the hymen as a result of sexual intercourse.

Dermis - the thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis which forms the true skin,
containing blood capillaries, nerve endings, sweat glands, hair follicles, and other
structures.

Digestive System - digestive system is a group of organs working together to convert food
into energy and basic nutrients to feed the entire body.

Dr. Pedro P. Solis - Philippines father of Legal Medicine.

Ecchymosis - a discoloration of the skin resulting from bleeding underneath, typically

caused by bruising.

Endocrine System - refers to the collection of glands of an organism that secrete

hormones directly into the circulatory system to be carried towards a distant target organ.

Epidermis - the outermost layer of the skin of a human or other vertebrate animal.

Euthanasia - Meaning good death ( well or good ), Refers to the practice of ending life in a
painless manner. Deliberate intervention undertaken with the express intention of ending
life, to relieve intractable suffering.

Excretory System - is a passive biological system that removes excess, unnecessary

materials from an organism, so as to help maintain homeostasis within the organism and
prevent damage to the body.

      Homeostasis -means remaining stable or remaining the same.

Firearm identification - used to determine whether the gun that is subject of the
investigation has the same gun used or fired.

Forensic Medicine - application of medical science to elucidate legal problems.

Forensic Science - involves the application of the sciences to answer questions of interest
to the legal system.

Four 4 Signs of Inflammation

1. Rubor - redness
2. Calor - heat
3. Tumor - swelling
4. Dulor - pain

Fracture - comes from the Latin word “fractura” which means a break in the continuity of
the bone. It is also a combination of a break in the bone and soft tissue injury.

Frostbite - injury to body tissues caused by exposure to extreme cold,

typically affecting the nose, fingers, or toes and often resulting in gangrene.

Frostnip - the initial stages of frostbite.

Gynecology - the branch of physiology and medicine which deals with the functions and
diseases specific to women and girls, especially those affecting the reproductive system.
Hematoma - is a collection of blood outside of a blood vessel.

Incision - a surgical cut made in skin or flesh.

Injury -  is the damage to a biological organism caused by physical harm.

   
Coup Injury - injury at the site of application of force.

      Contre-Coup Injury - injury opposite the site of application of force.

      Coup-Conre-Coup Injury - injury at the site and opposite the site of application of force.

      Locus Minoris Resistentiae - injury not at the site and not opposite the site of application
of force but at the site offering least resistance.

      Extensive Injury - injury on greater area more than the site of application of force.

Integumentary system - is the organ system that protects the body from various kinds of
damage, such as loss of water or abrasion from outside. The system comprises the skin
and its appendages, including hair, scales, feathers, hooves, and nails.

Laceration - a deep cut or tear in skin or flesh. A wound that is produced by the tearing of
soft body tissue. This type of wound is often irregular and jagged.

Lazarus Syndrome - is also called Lazarus Phenomenon, is the spontaneous return of

circulation after failed attempts at resuscitation.

Lazarus Sign - or Lazarus reflex is a reflex movement in brain dead patients, which causes
them to briefly raise their arms and drop them crossed on their chests.

Legal Medicine - Branch of medicine which deals with the application of medical
knowledge to the purpose of law and in the administration of justice. Application of medicine
to legal cases.

Livor Mortis - is a settling of the blood in the lower (dependent) portion of the body,
causing a purplish red discoloration of the skin. From the latin word "livor" - bluish color and
"mortis" - of death. Also known as post-mortem lividity.

Mayhem -  intentional maiming of another person.

Mechanical Trauma - is an injury to any portion of the body from a blow, crush, cut, or
penetrating wound.

Medical Evidence - is the means sanctioned by the rules of court of ascertaining in a

judicial proceeding the truth respecting a matter of fact.

      Types of Evidence
      1. Real Evidence/Autoptic - made known to the senses
      2. Testimonial Evidence - oral testimony under oath
      3. Experimental Evidence
      4. Documentary Evidence

Medical Jurisprudence - knowledge of law in relation to the practice of medicine.

Medico-Legal officer - (medical examiner) a physician who determines the cause of

injury/death/disease by examining the patient/cadaver and testify in court to aid in the
administration of justice.
Mental Deficiency – or mental retardation, is sub average intellectual ability present from
birth or early infancy. Intelligence is both determined by heredity and environment. In most
cases of mental deficiency, the cause is unknown.

      Classification of Mental Deficiency

      1. Idiot – The idiot’s intelligence never exceeds that of a normal child over 2years old.
The IQ is between 0 – 20. This is usually congenital.
      2. Imbecile – the imbecile’s intelligence is compared to a normal child from 2 –7 years
old and the IQ is 20 – 40.
      3. Feeble Minded – his mentality is similar to that of a normal child between 7 – 12
years old and an IQ of 40 – 70.

      The Legal Importance of determining the person’s state of mind are the following:
      1. In Criminal law, insanity exempts a person from criminal liability.
      2. In Civil law, Insanity is a restriction of the capacity of a natural person to act as
provided in Article 38 of the Civil Code.
      3. Insanity modifies or limits the capacity of a natural person to act as provided in Article
39 of the Civil Code.
      4. Insanity at the time of marriage of any or both parties is a ground for the annulment of
marriage.
 
Mental Health Disorders – include disturbances in thinking, emotion, and behavior. There
is a complex interaction between the physical, psychological, social, cultural and hereditary
influences.

      Factors that Contribute to the Development of Mental Disorders

      1. Heredity – the most frequent factor that contributes to insanity and a good history will
reveal the ascendants afflicted with the same.
      2. Incestuous Marriage – The mental illness is accentuated when
         they are blood relative.
      3. Impaired Vitality – Stress, tension, worry,grief may
         predispose to insanity.
      4. Poor Moral Training and Breeding – Corrupt moral upbringing
         in the family due to immorality of the parents.
      5. Psychic Factors – Factors like love, hate,rage, anger,
         passion disappointments.
      6. Physical Factors
               a. Non toxic factors – exhaustion resulting from severe
                  physical and mental strain and traumatic injuries
                  to the head.
               b. Toxic factors – drug addiction,infections of
                  the brain.

      Kinds of Mental Health Disorders

      1. Psychosomatic disorders – physical disorders caused by
         psychological factors.
      2. Somatiform disorders – encompasses several psychiatric
         disorders in which people report physical symptoms but deny
         having psychiatric problems.
      3. Generalized Anxiety Disorders
      4. Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
      5. Phobic Disorders
               a. Agoraphobia
               b. Specific phobias
               c. Social phobia
      6. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
      7. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
      8. Depression and Mania
      9. Bipolar Disorder
      10.Suicidal Behavior
      11.Eating Disorders
               a. Anorexia nervosa
               b. Bulimia nervosa
               c. Binge eating disorder
      12.Personality Disorders
               a. Paranoid
               b. Schizoid
               c. Histrionic
               d. Narcissistic
               e. Antisocial
               f. Borderline
               g. Avoidant
               h. Dependent
               i. Obsessive – Compulsive
               j. Passive Aggressive
               k. Dissociative
      13.Schizophrenia – a serious mental disorder characterized by
         loss of contact with reality(psychosis), hallucinations,
         delusions (false beliefs), abnormal thinking, disrupted
         work and social functioning.

               Types of Schizophrenia
               a. Paranoid - is a mental disorder characterized by
                  paranoia and a pervasive, long-standing
                  suspiciousness and generalized mistrust of others.
               b. Hebephrenic -  it is characterized by disorganized
                  behavior and speech, as well as disturbances in
                  emotional expression.
               c. Catatonic - does not respond to external stimuli.
                  characterized by a marked lack of movement,
                  activity, or expression.
      14.Delusional Disorder
      15.Psychological Incapacity – a waste basket diagnosis because
         it is so broad a term, that it covers all possible Mental
         Disorders.

      Some Manifestations of Mental Disorders

      1. Disorders of Cognition (Knowing)
            a. Illusion
            b. Hallucination
      2. Disorders of Memory
            a. Dementia
      3. Disorders in the Content of Thought
            A. Delusion
                  a. Delusion of grandeur
                  b. Delusion of persecution
                  c. Delusion of reference
                  d. Delusion of Self – Accusation
                  e. Delusion of infidelity
                  f. Nihilistic delusion
                  g. Delusion of poverty
                  h. Delusion of control
                  i. Delusion of depression
            B. Obsession
      4. Disorders in the trend of thought     
            Types a. Mania
                  b. Melancholia
      5. Disorders of Emotions or Feelings – a disorder in the state
         of mind, fervor, or sensibility, not in accord with reality.
      6. Disorders of volition or conation (doing)

            Conation - the mental faculty of purpose, desire, or will

            to perform an action; volition.
      
            Kinds of Conation
            A. Impulsion or Impulse (Compulsion) – a sudden and
               irresistible force compelling a person to the conscious
               performance of some action without motive or forethought.

               Types of Compulsion
               a. Pyromania - from the Greek word "pyr" - fire, is an
                  impulse control disorder in which individuals
                  repeatedly fail to resist impulses to deliberately
                  start fires in order to relieve tension or for
                  instant gratification.
               b. Kleptomania - is the inability to refrain from the
                  urge to steal items and is done for reasons other
                  than personal use or financial gain.
               c. Dipsomania - an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic
                  liquors.
               d. Homicidal impulse - occurs when one person kills
                  another suddenly and without premeditation or
                  planning.
               e. Sex impulse - a sudden strong and unreflective urge
                  or desire to have sex..
               f. Suicidal impulse - recurring thoughts of or
                  preoccupation with suicide.

Mortal Wound - capable of causing death.

Muscular System - is an organ system consisting of skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles.
It permits movement of the body, maintains posture, and circulates blood throughout the
body.

Mutilation - or maiming is an act of physical injury that degrades the appearance or

function of any living body.

Nervous System - consists of the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs, and all of the nerves
that connect these organs with the rest of the body.

Obstetrics - branch of medicine that deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum
period, including care of the newborn.

Paraffin test or Dermal Nitrate test – present on the skin of the hand or site of the wound
of entrance. This test is not conclusive because fertilizers, cosmetics, cigarettes, urine and
other nitrogenous compounds with nitrates will give a positive reaction. A negative test is
also not conclusive . The test usually gives a positive result even after a lapse of 3days or
even if the hands are subjected to ordinary washing.

Pathology - the science of the causes and effects of diseases, especially the branch of
medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of samples of body tissue for diagnostic
or forensic purposes.

Paulus Zacchias - (1584–1659) is the Father of Forensic Medicine.

Petechiae – a circumscribe extravasation of blood in the subcutaneous tissue.

Physical Injury - is the effect of some stimulus on the body.

Physical injuries - include those caused by mechanical trauma, heat and cold, electrical
discharges, changes in pressure, and radiation. Mechanical trauma is an injury to any
portion of the body from a blow, crush, cut, or penetrating wound.

Physics - The subject matter of physics includes mechanics, heat, light and other radiation,
sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms.

Physiology - the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms
and their parts.

Post-Mortem - (meaning after death) internal examination of the dead to determine the
cause of death.

      Ante-Mortem - before death.

Post-Mortem Caloricity - is the rise of temperature of the body after death due to rapid and
early putrefactive changes, usually in the first two hours.

Post Mortem Lividity - it occurs in most extensive areas of the most dependent portions of
the body.

Puncture Wound - is usually caused by a sharp pointy object such as a nail, animal teeth,
or a tack. This type of wound usually does not bleed excessively and can appear to close
up.

Putrefaction - or decomposition is the final stage following death, produced mainly by the
action of bacterial enzymes, mostly anaerobic organisms derived from the vowel. Other
enzymes are derived from fungi and sometimes from insects.

      Kinds of Putrefaction:
      1. Mummification -  is the preservation of a body.
      2. Saponification – also called Adipocere Formation.
      3. Maceration - Softening of the tissues after death by
         autolysis.

Reproductive System - or genital system is a system of sex organs within an organism

which work together for the purpose of sexual reproduction. Many non-living substances
such as fluids, hormones, and pheromones are also important accessories to the
reproductive system.

Respiratory System - (or ventilatory system) is a biological system consisting of specific

organs and structures used for the process of respiration in an organism. The respiratory
system is involved in the intake and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between an
organism and the environment.

Scald - is a type of burn injury caused by hot liquids or gases.

Sex Crimes - generally involve illegal or coerced sexual conduct by one person towards
another.

      Chaste – An unmarried woman who has had no carnal knowledge

      with men or that she never voluntarily had unlawful sexual
      intercourse. These also denotes purity of mind and innocence
      of heart.

      Virgin – A woman who has had no carnal knowledge of man.

      Her genital organs have not been altered by carnal connection.
            Kinds of Virginity
            1. Moral virginity – the state of not knowing the nature
               of sexual life and not having experience sexual
               relation.
            2. Physical Virginity – A condition whereby a woman is
               conscious of the nature of sexual life but has not
               experienced sexual intercourse.
            3. Demi–virginity – This term refers to a condition of
               a woman who permits any form of sexual liberties as
               long as they abstain from rupturing the hymen by
               sexual act. The woman allows sexual intercourse, but
               only inter femora or even inter labia, but not to the
               extent of rupturing the hymen.
            4. Virgo intacta – A truly virgin woman. There is no
               structural change in her organ,not withstanding the
               fact of a previous sexual intercourse.

      Carnal Knowledge - is the act of a man in having sexual bodily

      connection with a woman. There is carnal knowledge if there
      is the slightest penetration in the sexual organ of the female
      by the sexual organ of the male.

Shrapnel - fragments of a bomb, shell, or other object thrown out by an explosion.

Skeletal System - gives the body its basic framework, providing structure, protection, and
movement.

Subpoena - order issued by the court to a person to appear in court.

Subpoena ad Testificandum´- is a court summons to appear and give oral testimony for
use at a hearing or trial.

Surgery - is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental
techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease
or injury, to help improve bodily function or appearance or to repair unwanted ruptured
areas.

Topinard and Rolet - two french anatomist who devised a formula for the determination of
the height for male and female.

Toxicology - the branch of science concerned with the nature, effects, and detection of
poisons.

Trauma - injury, a physical wound to the body caused by an external source.

Virginity - A condition of a female who has not experience sexual intercourse and whose
genital organs have not been altered by carnal connection and whose hymen is still intact.

Virgo Intacta - literally the term refers to a truly virgin woman; that there are structural
changes in her organ to infer previous sexual intercourse and that she is a virtuous woman.

Virtuous Female - If her body is pure and if she has never had any sexual intercourse with
another though her mind and heart is impure.

Vital Reaction -  the response of living body tissues to injury.

Wound - in legal medicine,it means strictly a solution of continuity. An injury to living tissue
caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, typically one in which the skin is cut or broken.
      Open Wound - there is a break in the continuity of the skin.

      1. Abrasion - a wound consisting of superficial damage to

         the skin. Scratch, friction mark.

      2. Bruise - is a common skin injury that results from the

         breakage of tiny blood vessels leaking under the skin. Blood
         from damaged blood vessels beneath the skin collects near
         the surface of the skin to appear as what we recognize as
         a black and blue mark. Cause by a blunt injury to the
         tissues which damage blood vessels beneath the surface,
         allowing blood to extravasate or leak into the surrounding
         tissues.

      3. Incised Wound - caused by a clean, sharp-edged object such

         as a knife, razor, or glass splinter.

      4. Stab Wound - is a specific form of penetrating trauma to

         the skin that results from a knife or a similar pointed
         object that is "deeper than it is wide".

      5. Punctured Wound - is a deep wound caused by something sharp

         and pointed, like a nail. The opening on the skin is small,
         and the puncture wound may not bleed much. Puncture wounds
         can easily become infected.

      6. Perforating Wound - a wound with an entrance and exit opening.

      7. Lacerated Wound - that occurs when skin, tissue, and/or

         muscle is torn or cut open. Lacerations may be deep or
         shallow, long or short, and wide or narrow. Most lacerations
         are the result of the skin hitting an object, or an object
         hitting the skin with force.

      8. Bite -  is a wound received from the teeth of an animal,

         including humans.

      9. Gunshot Wound (GSW) - (Ballistic Trauma) is a form of physical

         trauma sustained from the discharge of arms or munitions.

   
Barotrauma - wound/injury caused by a change in atmospheric
      pressure.

      Defense Wound - or self-defense wound is an injury received by

      the victim of an attack while trying to defend against the
      assailant. often found on the hands and forearms, where the
      victim has raised them to protect the head and face or to fend
      off an assault, but may also be present on the feet and legs
      where a victim attempts defense while lying down and kicking
      out at the assailant.