FINAL DIAGNOSIS:

I. Craniocerebral injuries

A. Diffuse subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH):
B. Cerebral edema
C. Anterior brainstem contusion due to contre-coup injury
D. Basal skull fracture
E. Abrasion and echymosis to occiput

II. Echymosis and abrasion to posterior neck

Toxicologic Studies show no blood ethanol and drug screen is negative;
Diatom test for drowning - negative

CLINOCOPATHOLIGICAL CORRELATION: Cause of death is diffuse SAH
resulting in loss of respiratory and circulatory function.

AUDREY GREEN, M.D., Pathologist

The body of this seventy five-year-old male was examined via remote pathology medibots under direction and supervision of my office in Pueblo, Colorado. The decedent's body had been removed from shallow coastal waters near Durham, North Carolina by rescue workers under the initial assumption that death was a result of accidental drowning; evidence may have been compromised. The at-scene investigation showed that the boat had been scuttled by person or persons unknown, initiating a coroner's inquest. Examination of the body by remote microscopic scanning disclosed SAH, cerebral , and contre-coup brainstem contusion. Mild herniation of cerebral peduncles was appreciated. Marine activity, i.e. nibbling by marine animals, was observed in left peri-orbital area, washerwoman wrinkling in hands and feet. Examination consistent with submersion in oceanic salt water of approximately four hours.

EXTERNAL EVIDENCE OF INJURY: Contusions and abrasions to head and scalp in the occipital region and neck.

REMAINDER OF EXTERNAL EXAMINATION: The unembalmed, well-developed and well-nourished edematous Asian male body measures 161 cm in lengt and weighs an estimated 71 kilos.

The external auditory canals are patent and free of blood. Eyes are brown and the pupils unequally dilated. The sclerae are opaque. The nostrils are both patent and contain a small amount of tan mucous material. The teeth are native and in good repair. The tongue is smooth, pink-tan and granular. Examination of the extremities is unremarkable except where noted.

Fingernail scrapings of both hands reveal traces of synthetic skin consistent with Dolce Vita IV, a proprietary synthetic skin patented and manufactured by Belladerma.

External genitalia showed exaggerated postmortem lividity, suggesting physiologic engorgement of the penis prior to death.

INTERNAL EXAM: Systems unremarkable unless noted.

Lungs: Normal lobar configuration with no evidence of edema, exudate, or frothy matter generally observed in death by drowning. An occasional scattered subpleural petechial hemorrhage is seen on the surface of each lung. Airways clear. The intrapulmonary bronchi and vasculature are unremarkable. No evidence of consolidation or salt water in airways.

Brain: Brainstem shows massive anterior contusion. There is diffuse SAH and cerebral edema.

CONCLUSIONS: Decedent's death was a result of blunt force injury to the neck, which caused SAH, cerebral edema, and contre-coup injury to anterior brainstem resulting in cardiopulmonary arrest. Absence of salt-water contaminants in lungs and stomach strongly suggest decedent expired before being immersed in water.

MANNER OF DEATH: Homicide. Case to be remanded to Durham officials.

Signature

AUDREY GREEN, M.D.
Date 10-03-2142