The Case of the Dead Guy at the Ol ’ Tavern

1. The Case of the Dead Guy at the Ol’ Tavern Forensic Anthropology

2. Ol’ Tavern Death • A 61-year old male was brought into the emergency room unresponsive and clinically “shocked out.” • His blood pressure was unobtainable; his heart sounds irregular and distant; respirations grasping; his pupils dilated and fixed • He was pronounced dead 15-20 minutes after arrival at the emergency room.

3. Ol’ Tavern Death • This man was found lying on his back in the parking lot behind a tavern. Gambling, drug trafficking, and prostitution were common place activities at the tavern. • A witness observed a car suddenly speed out of the parking lot, run a red light, and leave the scene at a high rate of speed. • Homicide detectives noted traumatic injuries and considered the man to have been beaten, robbed, and dumped from an automobile.

4. Autopsy Report • Fractured right ribs #2-11 • Fractured left rib #12 • Right hemothorax (100ml) • Contusions and lacerations of the right lung • Extensive laceration of liver • Hemoperitoneum • Lacerations on the right kidney • Natural disease • Mild arteriosclerotic heart disease • Moderate pulmonary emphysema • Moderate to advanced fatty metamorphosis of the liver

5. Cause of Death • What is “cause of death”? • The cause of death refers to the medical reasons that death occurred such as “bleeding out” or “blunt force trauma to the head.” • What was the cause of death of the man at the ol’ tavern? • Trauma to the chest and abdomen

6. Manner of Death • What is “manner of death”? • Manner of death refers to the motive/reason why someone died. • There is only 5 manners of death— • Accidental • Homicidal • Natural • Suicidal • Undetermined

7. Manner of Death • Question to answer: • Was this man beaten to death? • What kind of information would you need to determine Manner of Death?

8. Look at the Injury Pattern • NOT suggestive of a beating • Severe blunt crushing trauma with a major force vector directed obliquely with anterior and posterior force (fracturing ribs and lacerating internal organs) • No injuries to hands or knuckles • Defensive injuries not apparent • Abrasions on skin was from pressure and not a sliding abrasion • Not thrown from automobile • No bumper impact • Not struck by automobile

9. Toxicology Report *Milligrams per deciliter (1/10th liter)—100 mg/dl is 0. 1%

10. Lifestyle and Additional Findings • Tavern owner stated that the victim was at his tavern that night • The owner characterized the deceased as one of the nightly drunks • The victim was an alcoholic who would drink ANYTHING– beer, wine, whiskey, rubbing alcohol • The victim entered the bar late in the evening inebriated, purchased a few drinks, bummed several additional drinks, and staggered out of the tavern around 12:30 a.m.

11. Owner of the Speeding Auto Stated: • He and a friend had been drinking heavily and left the tavern at about 1:00 a.m. • The two walked to their automobile from the front of the tavern, backed up a short distance, and left the lot • During the backing-up process, he felt a bump and thought he had backed into another automobile • He left the parking lot hurriedly, fearing a DUI. • His friend confirmed his story.

12. What is the Manner of Death? ACCIDENTAL

13. Why an Accident? • The driver admitted drinking heavily and driving under the influence, but Reckless Homicide could not be filed since: • No blood alcohol determinations were obtained • The driver was located days later • It could be argued that the victim’s extreme intoxicated state was probably a greater factor in placing him in a precarious position to be killed than the driver’s alleged intoxicated condition.