Victoria Martens Autopsey 1484008212
Victoria Martens Autopsey 1484008212
Victoria Martens Autopsey 1484008212
CAUSE OF DEATH
Manual strangulation
MANNER OF DEATH
Homicide
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
Matthew Cain, MD
DECLARATION
The death of MARTENS, VICTORIA was investigated by the Office of the Medical Investigator under
the statutory authority of the Office of the Medical Investigator.
I, Matthew Cain, MD, a board certified anatomic, clinical, and forensic pathologist licensed to practice
pathology in the State of New Mexico, do declare that I personally performed or supervised the tasks
described within this Death Investigation Summary document. It is only after careful consideration of
all data available to me at the time that this report was finalized that I attest to the diagnoses and
opinions stated herein.
Numerous photographs were obtained along the course of the examination. I have personally
reviewed those photographs and attest that they are representative of findings reported in this
document.
This document is divided into 9 sections with a final Procedural Notes section:
1. Summary and Opinion
2. External Examination
3. Medical Intervention
4. Postmortem Changes
5. Evidence of Injuries
6. Internal Examination
7. Microscopy
8. Ancillary Lab Studies
9. Postmortem Computed Tomography
Should you have questions after review of this material, please feel free to contact me at the Office of
the Medical Investigator (Albuquerque, New Mexico) - 505-272-3053.
Case Number:
2016-04676
Amendment
Medical Investigator
Matthew Cain, MD
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Amendment:
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Case Number:
2016-04676
Summary Opinion
Medical Investigator
Matthew Cain, MD
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
MARTENS, VICTORIA
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Case Number:
2016-04676
Summary Opinion
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Compression of the neck structures causes impaired blood flow to the brain and results in loss of consciousness and
death. The findings of abrasions and contusions around the head and neck, hemorrhage in the neck muscles, and
petechiae in areas such as the eyes or lips are consistent with manual strangulation. The sharp force injuries described
above showed no vital response a finding in keeping with being inflicted post-mortem. No soot was found in the
airway and the level of Carbon Monoxide/carboxyhemoglobin was low (normal) indicating that there was no evidence
of inhalation of products of combustion. Therefore it is our opinion, based on all the currently available information and
findings at autopsy, that Ms. Victoria Martens died as a result of manual strangulation. The manner of death is best
classified as homicide.
Cause Of Death:
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2016-04676
External Examination
Medical Investigator
Matthew Cain, MD
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
8/25/2016 9:00:00 AM
OMI
No
Dental
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Left ankle
Decedent name
Left ankle
Decedent name
No
141.00
40.60
BMI:
20.42
Development:
Well-developed
Development comments:
Stature:
Well-nourished
Age:
Anasarca:
No
Edema localized:
No
Dehydration:
No
Skin comments:
Brown
Long
Eyes:
Irides:
Hazel
Eyes corneae:
Translucent
Eyes sclerae:
White
Eyes conjunctivae:
Translucent
Eyes petechiae:
Yes
Palpebral petechiae:
Yes
Bulbar petechiae:
Yes
Facial petechiae:
Yes
External Examination
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2016-04676
External Examination
Yes
Nose:
Normally formed
Ears:
Normally formed
Lips:
Normally formed
Facial hair:
None
Maxillary dentition:
Natural
Mandibular dentition:
Natural
Condition of dentition:
Good
Neck:
Trachea midline:
Yes
Chest development:
Normal
Chest symmetrical:
Yes
Chest diameter:
Appropriate
Abdomen:
Flat
Anus:
Other
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Anus comment:
Spine:
Normal
External genitalia:
Female
Breast development:
None
Breast masses:
None
Genitalia comment:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Extremities:
Extremities comment:
No
Senile purpura:
No
Pitting edema:
No
Muscle other:
No
Tattoo(s)
Tattoos present:
No
Cosmetic Piercing(s)
External Examination
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2016-04676
External Examination
Yes
Yes
Yes
Scar(s) present:
Yes
Scar abdomen:
Yes
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Scar(s)
The bilateral upper extremities, heart, left lobe of the liver, and sternum are received separately. See evidence of injury.
Reported by:
Reporting Tracking
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
Verified by:
External Examination
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2016-04676
Medical Intervention
Medical Investigator
Matthew Cain, MD
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
No
Reported by:
Report Tracking
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
Verified by:
Medical Intervention
MARTENS, VICTORIA
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2016-04676
Postmortem Changes
Medical Investigator
Matthew Cain, MD
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
8/25/2016 10:07:00 AM
Body temperature:
Rigor mortis:
Fully fixed
Purple
Fully Fixed
Posterior
State of preservation:
No decomposition
Skin slippage:
Yes
Reported by:
Report Tracking
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
Verified by:
Postmortem Changes
Page 1
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Case Number:
2016-04676
Evidence of Injury
Medical Investigator
Matthew Cain, MD
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Yes
Evidence of Injury:
Autopsy date:
# Injury
1 Mechanical asphyxia
8/25/2016 10:07:00 AM
Location
Injury Description
2 Blunt injury
Head
3 Sharp injury
Other
Evidence of Injury
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2016-04676
Evidence of Injury
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Evidence of Injury
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2016-04676
4 Blunt injury
Evidence of Injury
Trunk
MARTENS, VICTORIA
5 Thermal injury
Other
Thermal Injuries
Thermal injuries involve the torso and lower extremities;
however, no soot is seen in the airway.
On the right lateral flank is a circular area of superficial
charring. There is superficial charring of the bilateral lower
extremities involving 30% of the right thigh, 60-70% of the
right lower leg, 30% of the left thigh, and 40% of the left lower
leg.
Reported by:
Report Tracking
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
Verified by:
Evidence of Injury
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2016-04676
Internal Examination
Medical Investigator
Matthew Cain, MD
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
Date of Autopsy:
8/25/2016 10:07:00 AM
8/26/2016 9:30:00 AM
Yes
Yes
No
MARTENS, VICTORIA
BODY CAVITIES
The heart and liver are absent from the body cavity.
Diaphragm:
Intact
Serosal surfaces:
No
No
HEAD
Brain examined:
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
1295
No palpable fractures
Calvarium:
No fractures
Skull base:
No fractures
Skull comments:
Dura mater:
Patent
Leptomeninges:
Epidural hemorrhages /
hematomas:
Absent
Subdural hemorrhages /
hematomas:
Absent
Subarachnoid hemorrhages:
Absent
Cerebral hemispheres:
Symmetrical
Unremarkable
Uncal processes:
Unremarkable
Internal Examination
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2016-04676
Internal Examination
Cerebellar tonsils:
Unremarkable
Cranial nerves:
Unremarkable
Unremarkable
Cerebral cortex:
Unremarkable
White matter:
Unremarkable
Corpus callosum:
Unremarkable
Unremarkable
Brainstem:
Unremarkable
Cerebellum:
Unremarkable
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Spinal Cord
Spinal cord examined:
Yes
Spinal dura:
Spinal cord:
No
Neck
Neck examined:
Yes
Yes
No
No
Strap muscles:
Jugular veins:
Unremarkable
Carotid arteries:
Unremarkable
Tongue:
Unremarkable
Epiglottis:
Unremarkable
Hyoid bone:
Unremarkable
Larynx:
Unremarkable
Palatine tonsils:
Not examined
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Heart examined:
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Heart
Normal
Normal
140.0
Internal Examination
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2016-04676
Internal Examination
MARTENS, VICTORIA
0
Cardiac Chambers and Valves:
Cardiac chambers:
Unremarkable
Tricuspid valve:
Unremarkable
Pulmonic valve:
Unremarkable
Mitral valve:
Unremarkable
Aortic valve:
Unremarkable
Atrial septum:
Unremarkable
Ventricular septum:
Unremarkable
0.1 cm
0.6 cm
0.8 cm
Yes
Patent
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2016-04676
Internal Examination
Coarctation:
No
Vascular dissection:
No
Aneurysm formation:
No
Complex atherosclerosis:
No
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Yes
Patent
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Lungs examined:
Yes
No
No
No
No
210
160
Dark red-purple
Pulmonary trunk:
None
None
Liver examined:
Yes
Yes
No
No
Liver (g):
900
HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM
No
Red-brown
Unremarkable
Hepatic vasculature:
Gallbladder:
Unremarkable
Gallstones:
None
Unremarkable
Internal Examination
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Internal Examination
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Unremarkable
Yes
No
No
No
150
Yes
Esophagus
Course:
Mucosa:
Mucosa:
Pylorus:
Luminal contents:
Mucosa:
Unremarkable
Luminal contents:
Formed stool
Mucosa:
Unremarkable
Form:
Yes
Yes
No
No
Kidneys
Kidneys capsules:
Thin, semitransparent
Cortical surfaces:
Smooth
Cortices:
70
75
Internal Examination
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Internal Examination
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Urine description:
Urinary Bladder
Urinary bladder mucosa:
Female:
Yes
Breasts
Breast tissue:
Uterine cervix:
Infantile
Fallopian tubes:
Unremarkable
Ovaries:
Unremarkable
Vagina:
Yes
No
No
No
Spleen
Spleen (g):
90
Spleen parenchyma:
Moderately firm
Spleen capsule:
Intact
Prominent
Bone Marrow
Color:
Regional adenopathy:
No adenopathy
Lymph Nodes
Thymus
Thymus (g):
Parenchyma:
Tan-pink
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Yes
No
No
No
Pituitary Gland
Internal Examination
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2016-04676
Size:
Internal Examination
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Normal
Thyroid Gland
Position:
Normal
Size:
Normal
Parenchyma:
Homogeneous
Adrenal Glands
Size:
Normal
Parenchyma:
Yellow cortices and gray medullae with the expected corticomedullary ratio
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
Yes
Yes
No
No
Bony framework:
Musculature:
Reported by:
Report Tracking
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
Verified by:
Internal Examination
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2016-04676
Microscopy
Medical Investigator
Matthew Cain, MD
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Microscopic description:
*Unless otherwise indicated sections are stained only with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E).
Microscopy:
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2016-04676
Microscopy
Block
Tissue Location
Description
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
Proximal trachea
A6
Heart
A7
Posterior vagina
A8
Posterior vagina
A9
Anterior vagina
A10
Anterior vagina
A11
Brain
A12
Brain
A13
Brain
A14
Brain
A15
Rectum 12 o'clock
A16
Rectum 2 o'clock
A17
Rectum 3 o'clock
A18
Rectum 5 o'clock
A19
Rectum 6 o'clock
A20
Rectum 7 o'clock
A21
Rectum 9 o'clock
A22
Rectum 11 o'clock
A23
Rectum distal
A24
Rectum mid
A25
Rectum proximal
A26
A27
Reported by:
Report Tracking
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
Verified by:
Microscopy:
Page 2
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Stain
Case Number:
2016-04676
Ancillary Lab
Medical Investigator
Matthew Cain, MD
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
Autopsy date:
8/25/2016 10:07:00 AM
Study type(s):
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Reported by:
Report Tracking
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
Verified by:
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2016-04676
PMCT
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Medical Investigator
Matthew Cain, MD
Date of examination:
8/25/2016 10:07:00 AM
Study date:
Accession number:
Exam type:
Technique:
Comparison:
Comments:
Reported by:
Report Tracking
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
Verified by:
Computed Tomography
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Procedural Notes
Case Number:
2016-04676
Decedent Name:
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Pathologist:
Matthew Cain, MD
Fellow/Resident:
Rebecca Asch-Kendrick, MD
Date of Examination:
8/25/2016 10:07:00 AM
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Morphology Technician
Identification
Darla Bentzen
Autopsy
Michael Jarvis
Evidence
Darla Bentzen
Evidence
Darla Bentzen
Radiology
Darla Bentzen
Retention
Darla Bentzen
Toxicology
Michael Jarvis
Toxicology
Michael Jarvis
Toxicology
Michael Jarvis
LabOther
Michael Jarvis
Attendees
Michael Jarvis
Yellow Sheet
LabOther
Erika Cavalier
Identification
Michael Jarvis
Attendees
Daniel Gutierrez
Toxicology
Erika Cavalier
Autopsy
Brittany Vallejos
Evidence
Michael Jarvis
Radiology
Michael Jarvis
Retention
Michael Jarvis
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Procedural Notes
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Autopsy attendees
Other morphology technicians present:
Andrew HSU
Det. Jones
Det. Wild
Det. Acata
Specimens obtained for toxicology testing
Use antemortem specimens for
testing:
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Urine collected:
No
Bile collected:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
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2016-04676
Procedural Notes
MARTENS, VICTORIA
No
Yes
HCV/HBV serology :
No
Influenza serology:
No
Other serology:
No
Freezer protocol:
No
DNA card:
Yes
Metabolic screen:
No
Cytogenetics:
No
Med-X protocol:
No
Urine dipstick:
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Viral Cultures:
No
Approach to autopsy dissection
Rokitansky evisceration:
Yes
Virchow evisceration:
No
Modified evisceration:
No
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2016-04676
Procedural Notes
HIV serology:
Pericranial membrane removal:
No
No
Yes
Yes
Facial dissection:
No
No
No
Yes
No
Back dissection:
Yes
No
Yes
Eye enucleation:
No
No
No
Yes
No
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Other dissection(s):
Tissues retention
Stock jar with standard tissue
retention:
Yes
Rib segment:
Yes
Pituitary gland:
Yes
No
Brain retention:
No
No
No
Heart retention:
No
No
No
No
Other retention,specify:
Disposition of tissues retained for extended examination
Specimen outcome:
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Procedural Notes
MARTENS, VICTORIA
171
Number of autopsy photos produced by the OMI
Autopsy Photos:
223
Evidence collected
No
No
Yes
Thumbprint:
Yes
Fingerprints:
Yes
Palmprints:
No
Print hold:
Yes
Oral swab:
Yes
Vaginal swab:
Yes
Anal swab:
Yes
Other swab:
Yes
Fingernails:
Yes
Scalp hair:
Yes
Pubic hair:
Yes
Yes
Projectile(s):
No
Retain clothing:
Yes
Retain valuables:
No
Yes
No
No
Ligature:
No
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Procedural Notes
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Property Type
Property Description
Property Detail
Blood
n/a
Hair
Scalp
n/a
Fingernail Clipping
Right Hand
w/ clippers
Fingernail Clipping
Left Hand
w/ clippers
Swabs
Oral
n/a
Swabs
Anal
n/a
Swabs
Vaginal
n/a
Swabs
Other
Swabs
Other
Swabs
Other
Swabs
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
Swabs
Other
Chest- Dry
Swabs
Other
Chest- Wet
Swabs
Other
Abdomen- Wet
Swabs
Other
Hair
Toenail Clipping
Right Foot
w/ clippers
Toenail Clipping
Left Foot
w/ clippers
Hair
Pubic
n/a
Trace
Location
Trace
Location
Trace
Location
Swabs
Other
Neck Dry
Swabs
Other
Neck Wet
Other
Other
Trace
Location
Swabs
Other
Swabs
Other
Swabs
Other
Swabs
Other
Swabs
Other
Swabs
Other
Swabs
Other
Trace
Location
Blood
8/26/16
Valuables
Other
Fingerprints
Describe
Palm Prints
Describe
R and L palms
Other Prints
Taken From
R and L feet
Clothing
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Procedural Notes
MARTENS, VICTORIA
Property Type
Property Description
Property Detail
Clothing
Shirt
n/a
Page 7