Marbling In Forensic Medicine

Students will participate in classroom and online lectures case discussions and laboratory training.

Marbling in forensic medicine.

Decomposition is the process by which dead organic substances are broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter such as carbon dioxide water simple sugars and mineral salts the process is a part of the nutrient cycle and is essential for recycling the finite matter that occupies physical space in the biosphere bodies of living organisms begin to decompose shortly after death. Marbling forensic pathology venous patterning a mosaic of discoloration due to prominent subdermal vessels on the skin of a body in early decomposition decay sports medicine skin marbling mottling of skin seen in divers with pulmonary barotrauma and air embolism. Marbling may develop with the delineation of the vasculature as a result of the reaction of hydrogen sulfide produced by bacteria with hemoglobin from the lysis of erythrocytes as shown below. Putrefactive bacteria spread most easily in fluid and thus initially spread to and cause discoloration of the more moist areas of the body e g.

The master of science ms in forensic medicine is a full time non thesis 18 month graduate degree program that prepares students for careers in forensic medicine. Blister formation with skin and hair breakdown occurs at 3 to 5 days. See air embolism pulmonary barotrauma. I e so called venous marbling.

This process can be seen as discolouration of the vessels marbling. From 60 to 72 hours postmortem the body exhibits generalised swelling and bloating from increased gas production by bacteria. Marbling over the trunk and limbs is another feature of postmortem skin decomposition caused by the spread of bacteria through the venous system. Dependent areas affected by oedema and also within the venous system leading to haemolysis and staining of vessel walls and adjacent tissues.

Marbling forensic pathology venous patterning a mosaic of discoloration due to prominent subdermal vessels on the skin of a body in early decomposition decay sports medicine skin marbling mottling of skin seen in divers with pulmonary barotrauma and air embolism. Bacteria multiply within the vasculature and their presence leads to haemolysis and decomposition of the blood within those vessels. Onset of lividity its location and color provide information on the time and cause of death. See air embolism pulmonary barotrauma.