Robert Kennedy Autopsy Report
Essay by chris Stordahl • January 24, 2017 • Research Paper • 915 Words (4 Pages) • 1,438 Views
- Robert Kennedy
- Robert F. Kennedy served as the U.S. Attorney general from 1961 to 1964 and as a U.S. Representative from New York from 1965 until his death in 1968. An alum of Harvard University and the University of Virginia School of Law, Kennedy was named Attorney General after his sibling John F. Kennedy was named the 35th President of the United States in 1960. In this position, Robert Kennedy worked to lower the organized crime rate and worked for social equality for African Americans. He additionally served as a nearby consultant to the President. While in the Senate, he was dedicated to improving conditions for the poor and racial minorities, along with restricting acceleration of the Vietnam War. On June 5, 1968, while in Los Angeles, working to gain votes for the upcoming Democratic presidential selection, Kennedy was shot by Sirhan Sirhan. He died the following day at age 42. Kennedy, the father of 11, was put to rest at Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery close to the grave of his sibling John, who was assassinated just 5 years earlier.
Kennedy’s shooter, Sirhan Sirhan was born in Jerusalem in 1944, and at age 12 moved to the US with his family. On June 5, 1968, Sirhan shot and killed Kennedy during a presidential primary appearance. A year later Sirhan received the death penalty, but soon after, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after a change in state law. Kennedy had promised to send fifty fighter jets to Israel if elected President. Many believe Sirhan, a Palestinian had grown angry with Kennedy’s political views and led him to murder Kennedy.
Cause/manner of death | Why? |
Cause- A gunshot to the head | Robert Kennedy’s autopsy revealed That while he was shot 3 times, only one was considered fatal. This bullets path hit many vital parts of the brain including the temporal lobe, cerebellum, and eventually the brain stem. |
Manner- homicide | Robert Kennedy was shot a total of three times, and this is very unlikely in an accidental shooting, or a suicide (and never in a natural death.) |
# | Medical term | Definition |
1. | Right mastoid region | The mastoid part of the temporal bone is the back part of the temporal bone. Its rough surface gives attachment to various muscles and it has openings for the transmission of blood vessels. |
2. | Axilla | The space below the shoulder through which vessels and nerves enter and leave the upper arm; a person's armpit. |
3. | Infraclavicular region | Situated or occurring below the clavicle. |
4. | Paracervical region | Of, relating to, or occurring in the neck and especially the back part of the neck. |
5. | Craniotomy | Surgical opening into the skull. |
6. | Auditory meatus | Either of the passages in the outer ear from the auricle to the tympanicmembrane |
7. | Reid line | The base line of the skull, a hypothetic line extending from the inferior orbital ridge to the center of the aperture of theexternal auditory meatus. |
8. | Occipital protuberance | Prominence on the outer surface of the occipital bone. |
9. | Edema | An excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue spaces or a body cavity. |
10. | Ecchymosis | A discoloration of the skin resulting from bleeding underneath, typically caused by bruising. |
# | Stage | description |
1. | Preliminary Procedures | -the taking of detailed notes of the post-mortem. -The date, time, location and circumstances of the autopsy are recorded. -The prosecutors, witnesses and other personnel are identified. - Any special circumstances, such as embalming information is noted. |
2. | Summary of Known Circumstances |
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3. | Documents Reviewed And/or Evidence Examined | - Review of reports of investigation or conversations with official personnel that pertain to the victim's death. - Evidence obtained at the death scene beneficial to the pathologist. Ex) a gun recovered from the body of a shooting victim |
4. | External Examination of Body | - Comprehensive list of everything involved in the external examination. - The victim's clothing, jewelry, valuables recovered. - Body weight and length. - Presence of algor, rigor or livor mortis. - General condition of the body. - Description of the color and condition of head and body hair. - Examination of the nose and mouth. - External condition of body areas to include the breasts, genitalia, ears and skin. - Scars or incisions. - Specific injuries are noted. |
5. | Victim Identification Procedures | -If identity of the victim is unknown. -If the victim cannot be determined through visual means. -Fingerprints, Dental examination, X-rays and clothing. -Photographing the victim. |
6. | Internal Examination of Body | -Description of body organs. - Any abnormality or injury observed. Every organ of the body is examined and the results are recorded -The heart, liver, lungs, and pancreas, etc. |
7. | General Description of Body Organs | -This phase is often incorporated into Step 6
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8. | Specific Description of Wounds or Injuries | -descriptions of wounds or injuries that are related to specific types of trauma. Ex) Handgun or rifle, Blunt force instrument, Fracture, Asphyxia, hanging, strangling or drowning, etc. |
9. | Establish Evidential Chain-of-custody | -Mentions If the autopsy is related to a known criminal case. -Evidence is turned over to law enforcement personnel if needed (criminal cases). |
10. | Record of Specimens Retained and Examinations Performed | -Any evidence retained. Ex) clothing, bullets or bullet fragments, and suspected gun powder residue from the victim's skin or clothing. -Also could include Toxicological specimens. Ex) blood, urine or body tissues. |
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