life : autopsy

Coroner's Report
 

File #70 - 10463

OFFICE OF CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER - CORONER
 

Date October 5, 1970 Time 0935 Hours

I performed an autopsy on the body of JANIS JOPLIN

at OFFICE OF CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER - CORONER, HALL OF JUSTICE,

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

and from the anatomic findings and pertinent history I ascribe the death to:

ACUTE HEROIN - MORPHINE INTOXICATION
 

DUE TO:          INJECTION OF OVERDOSE
 

Final Oct. 28, 1970

ANATOMICAL SUMMARY
 

    I. Pulmonary edema and congestion.

   II. Visceral congestion.

  III. Needle marks, arms, bilateral.

  IV. Fatty metamorphosis of liver.
 
 

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION:

The unembalmed body is that of a Caucasian female, appearing the stated age of 27. A tattoo of a bracelet is present around the left wrist. A small tattoo of a flower is present just behind the lateral malleolus on the right heel. There is also a small heart tattooed over, and medial to, the left breast. Numerous needle marks are present in the arms bilaterally, both in the antecubital fossa and on the left lateral anterior margin of the left arm. On sectioning, there appears to be at least two fresh hemorrhagic areas on the lateral margin of the left arm. The antecubital fossa shows, what appears to be, old needle marks and some are of relatively recent origin. An old surgical scar is present in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. There is a slight amount of bloody material present in the mouth and on further examination, some disruption of the mucosa is noted. No evidence of major trauma or of violence is present. The hair is of moderate length and shows a varying shade of, from blond to brunette. The eyes are blue and show moderate dilatation of the pupils. The external genitalia is female. There is some irregular dependent livor with the pressure changes chiefly on the left side, suggesting body rest on the left side.