Neck Stab Case Analysis
A victim was stabbed in the left side of the neck in a fight and sustained a small superficial stab wound of the skin and jugular vein. There was a small pool of blood at the scene; the victim, however, expired in the ambulance on the way to the trauma center. Which of the following statements is Not True regarding this incident?
a. Air embolism is the cause of death.
b. Air embolism is the mechanism of death.
c. Stab wound is the cause of death.
d. Hemorrhage may be the mechanism of death in the absence of air embolism.
e. Manner of death is homicide. Neck Stab Case Analysis
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Air embolism is the cause of death,
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Air embolism is the mechanism of death,
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Stab wound is the cause of death,
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Hemorrhage may be the mechanism of death in the absence of air embolism,
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Manner of death is homicide.
Answer
The statement that is Not True regarding this incident is:
b. Air embolism is the mechanism of death.
Explanation:
In forensic pathology, the cause of death refers to the injury or disease that initiates the chain of events leading directly to death. The mechanism of death describes the physiological or biochemical disturbance that actually results in death.
In this case, the victim sustained a stab wound to the neck that injured the jugular vein. When veins in the neck are open to the atmosphere, air can be sucked into the venous system, leading to an air embolism, which can block blood flow to the heart and cause sudden death. Thus, the cause of death is the stab wound to the neck, while the mechanism of death would be air embolism (if proven) or hemorrhage if there was significant bleeding.
Therefore:
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“Air embolism is the cause of death” → False (it’s a mechanism, not a cause).
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“Air embolism is the mechanism of death” → True.
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“Stab wound is the cause of death” → True.
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“Hemorrhage may be the mechanism of death in the absence of air embolism” → True.
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“Manner of death is homicide” → True.
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