Question

C-TOD, M-C-M of Death & PMI Estimates

A 80yo male was found lying face down in his kitchen at 3:30pm on March 13.
An empty bowl with the remains of scrambled eggs was found on the floor
next to him. The ME estimated that the death occurred at least 6 hours prior to
discovery.
During the autopsy, food was found in the stomach and there were several
blocked blood vessels around the heart.
1) What is the Manner of Death?
2) What is the Cause of Death?
3) What is the LEGAL time of death?
4) Using the information about the Digestive system, does the estimated time
of death match up??
5 Where will rigor mortis be showing on the body?

Answer 1

The manner of death is accidental, caused by blocked blood vessels around the heart. The estimated time of death matches up with the food found in the stomach. Rigor mortis will first show in the smaller muscles within a few hours after death.

Step-by-step explanation:

The manner of death in this case is accidental.

The cause of death is blocked blood vessels around the heart, which is most likely due to a heart attack.

The legal time of death is 9:30am on March 13, six hours prior to the discovery.

The estimated time of death matches up with the food found in the stomach, indicating that the victim had recently eaten.

Rigor mortis will first show on the body in the smaller muscles, such as the jaw and hands, within 2-6 hours after death.