forensic pathology in greenville county, south carolina

Forensic Pathology in Greenville County, South Carolina Michael Ward, MD Chief Medical Examiner Greenville County, South Carolina Forensic Pathology • Pathology is the study of disease and how that disease process effects man. • Forensic pathology is the study of disease processes, trauma, and toxicology to determine how and why people die. Greenville County, South Carolina Greenville County, South Carolina Greenville County, South Carolina • Greenville is located in the northwest corner of the state of South Carolina. • In size, it ranks number 40 out of 50 states. • In population, it ranks 26 th out of 50 with a population of 4,012,012. Greenville County has a population of 401,174 Greenville County, South Carolina • In 2004, there were persons who died in Greenville. • Of those who died, 1,576 or % were reported to the Greenville County Medical Examiner’s Office for investigation. • From the 1,576 cases investigated, 237 or 17% were autopsied to determine cause and manner of death. Greenville County, South Carolina • 86% of the deaths investigated by the medical examiner were natural deaths. • Heart disease was the most frequent cause of death. • Other natural causes included infectious disease, malignancy, chronic lung disease, and stroke (cerebral vascular accidents. Coronary artery disease Myocardial infarction [...]... Homicide Greenville County, South Carolina • When the manner of death is uncertain, or there is not enough information to make the determination, the death is placed in the undetermined category • In 2004, only 4 cases out of 1,576, or 0.25% were undetermined • Often these are badly decomposed bodies or skeletal remains Undetermined Undetermined Undetermined Greenville, South Carolina • In spite of the... Disease Greenville County, South Carolina • In 133 cases or 8% of the deaths investigated by the medical examiner, the manner of death was accident • Motor vehicle collisions are the most common accidental deaths • Other accidents include falls, drug overdoses, drowning, and house fires Motor vehicle collisions Motor vehicle collisions Drug intoxication Greenville County, South Carolina • In 2004,... manner of death was determined in 53, or 3% of the cases • Self-inflected gunshot wounds was the most common method to commit suicide • Intentional drug overdose and hanging were the next most common • During this year, there was one case of self-immolation Suicidal gunshot wounds Suicidal gunshot wounds Suicidal drug overdose Suicidal drug overdose Greenville County, South Carolina • Homicide, or death... 2%, in 2004 • Firearms are by far the most common weapon used to commit a homicide • Knives, blunt objects, ligatures, fists, and other objects are occasionally used as weapons Greenville County South Carolina • Homicide • Frequently, the victim is known to the killer • Drugs and/or alcohol often involved • Gang-related killings are uncommon in Greenville Homicide Homicide Homicide Homicide Greenville. .. remains Undetermined Undetermined Undetermined Greenville, South Carolina • In spite of the above demonstrated deaths, Greenville, South Carolina is a wonderful place to live with beautiful mountains, rivers, lakes, and people I invite each one of you to visit us there if you are ever in the United States of America! . Forensic Pathology in Greenville County, South Carolina Michael Ward, MD Chief Medical Examiner Greenville County, South Carolina Forensic Pathology • Pathology is the. man. • Forensic pathology is the study of disease processes, trauma, and toxicology to determine how and why people die. Greenville County, South Carolina Greenville County, South Carolina Greenville. Carolina Greenville County, South Carolina • Greenville is located in the northwest corner of the state of South Carolina. • In size, it ranks number 40 out of 50 states. • In population, it