Coroner's report - hand

Office of the Yoknapatawpha County Coroner

DATE and HOUR AUTOPSY PERFORMED:
 7/14/2014, 8:30 a.m. by

 Manish Agarwal, M.D.
 555 Jackson Avenue
 Oxford, MS 38655
 662-234-XXXX (FAX 662-234-XXXX)

Assistant:

Victoria Witte, M.D.

Full Autopsy Performed

SUMMARY PRELIMINARY REPORT OF AUTOPSY

Name:
 FINE, Andrew Richard

Coroner's Case #:
 2014-219

Date of Birth:
 10/17/1973

Age:
 40

Race:
 White

Sex:
 Male

Date of Death:
 July 3, 2014 - July 8, 2014 (estimated)

Body Identified by:
 fingerprints

Case #
 002205-13G-2014

Investigative Agency:
 Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department

EVIDENCE OF TREATMENT

 N/A

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION

The subject presented consists exclusively of a human right hand.

The hand is that of a Caucasian male. It measures 19 centimeters from the tip of the middle finger to the point of separation and weighs 907 grams. It is unembalmed and in the early stages of putrefaction.

The hand is coated with a light layer of soil. Soil samples were collected and submitted for analysis.

Callused palm and lower fingers indicate the subject did manual labor. Fingernail scrapings were collected and submitted for analysis.

Rate of decomposition and indication that the hand had been buried for an undetermined period suggest it has not been intact with the body for an estimated 7 - 14 days.

There are no residual scars, markings or tattoos.

Fingerprint comparison identified the hand as that of Andrew Fine of Oxford, MS.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: N/A

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: N/A

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: N/A

GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM: N/A

HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM: N/A

URINARY SYSTEM: N/A

MALE GENITAL SYSTEM: N/A

TOXICOLOGY: N/A

SEROLOGY: A sample of blood is submitted in the EDTA tube. Routine toxicologic studies were ordered.

DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES - SUMMARY

(1) Complete distal radius and ulna fractures.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal injury.

(2) Traumatic amputation of the right hand just below the wrist.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal, post-mortem injury. Amputation was effected with a moderately sharp, non-serrated blade.

LABORATORY DATA

Drug Screen Results:

Blood Ethanol: Undetermined  

Urine Drugs: N/A  

Clinicopathologic Correlation: Undetermined  

Millicent Schmid, Ph.D.
Chief Toxicologist
July 15, 2014

EVIDENCE COLLECTED

1. Samples of Blood (type O+)

2. Two (2) autopsy photographs

3. One (1) postmortem x-ray

4. Four (4) soil samples

5. Fingernail scrapings

OPINION

Time of Death: Given available factors, estimated time of death is between 7/3/2014 - 7/15/2014.

Immediate Cause of Death: Undetermined

Manner of Death: Homicide

Remarks: Traumatic amputation of this type typically is not fatal. However, condition of the hand and stage of decomposition suggest a fatality may be associated with the hand, though not likely resulting from the amputation.

Because preliminary autopsy findings were requested on a rush basis, toxicology findings are not yet available.

//Manish Agarwal, M.D.
Yoknapatawpha County Coroner's Office
July 15, 2014