Dr Jimmy FEELGOODE
BSc, MB, BS, MRCPath, DipRCPath(Forensic)
Chamber of Justice Accredited Forensic Pathologist
Consultant – Royal Forensic Pathology Services

Statement of J. FEELGOODE, BSc, MB, BS, MRCPath, DipRCPath(Forensic)
Age of Witness (D. of B.): Over 18
Occupation of Witness: Consultant Pathologist
Address: Royal Forensic Pathology Services

This statement, consisting of 12 pages signed by me, is true to the best of my knowledge and belief, and I make it knowing that, if it is tendered in evidence, I shall be liable to prosecution if I have wilfully stated in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.

Dated 29 May 1002
Signed:
Signature Witnessed by:

INTERIM POST MORTEM REPORT

SC: 39/1002/cb
29th May 1002
Silver Hammerbuck BRAISE

At approximately mid-day on the 28th May 1002, at the request of Canterlot Central Police, I attended the scene of a suspicious death near Ponyville.
I was logged into the outer cordon of the scene at 12:00 hrs.
I approached the inner cordon via a farm track and field. I was logged into this cordon at 12:04 hrs by PC BLUEBELL.
On arrival I was met by DI AUTUMN BREEZE, Principal SOCO, of Trotland Yard, and Sgt. NIGHTJACK, Senior Investigating Officer, of Ponyville Police Station.
At this stage I was given brief background information by Sgt. NIGHTJACK, this being that the deceased was believed to be SILVER HAMMERBUCK BRAISE, a local carpenter.
I understand that concern for the welfare of the deceased had been raised by a local pony at approximately 19:00 hrs on the 27th May 1002 by way of a Royal Equestrian Guard formation which was in the Ponyville area. A small force of Guardsponies was detached to investigate and a body was discovered at the relevant location. It was apparent from the condition of the body that life was extinct at 20:07 hrs. I understand that due to operational reasons, guard was mounted by the Royal Equestrian Guard over the body during the night, and Ponyville Police Station was informed of the death at approximately 06:30 hrs on 28th May 1002. I understand that Sgt. NIGHTJACK and PC BLUEBELL attended the scene at approximately 06:53 hrs and confirmed a suspicious death. Assistance was requested from Canterlot Central Police Station, and DI AUTUMN BREEZE and a SOCO Team were dispatched to begin examination of the scene.
Prior to entering the scene itself I was shown a sketch map by SOCO [CENSORED]. This shows the entrance and the common approach pathway and then the body of the deceased, a young adult male, lying on his side.

Fact of Death: Having met with the Senior Investigating Officer, Sgt. NIGHTJACK, I then proceeded to examine the body itself for the purposes of verifying the fact of his death.
The fact of death was confirmed at 12:35 hrs.

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SCENE EXAMINATION

The body was that of a young, adult Earth pony. He was lying on his right side with his head extended away from the body. His left foreleg was held straight in a line with the shoulder. His right foreleg was held slightly forward with the right elbow flexed. His back legs were extended out from the hips, the right leg slightly advanced, the left trailing and bent indicative of displaced compound fracture of the tibia and fibula just above the hock.

Clothing and Tack
None

Bloodstaining and contamination on exposed body surfaces
There was heavy bloodstaining over the vast majority of the exposed body surfaces.
Lighter bloodstaining was present on the face and left ear.

Adjacent scene
The area around and beneath the body appeared heavily bloodstained and several pools of blood had formed. There was no obvious sign of a weapon or other instrument.
The floor of the adjacent workshop which was the deceased's residence was also heavily bloodstained. The interior of the workshop bore possible signs of a struggle but was otherwise well-ordered. Given the profession of the deceased there was a large number of edged instruments available which could present possible weapons.

Rigor mortis
At approximately 13:30 hrs following the collection of tapings and swabs I was able to examine the body more fully and I noted that rigor mortis was fully established in all muscle groups.

Signs of visible injury
Once able to examine the body I noted a large number of incised wounds of varying depth across the neck, barrel, abdomen, and flanks together with extensive trauma to the abdominal area. The left rear leg bore signs of displaced compound fracture, as above. The trauma to the abdominal area had resulted in expulsion of some of the internal organs.
There were signs of ante-mortem injury on the body. A folded cloth, heavily bloodstained, was bound to the left foreleg with a length of pink ribbon. A deep laceration extended from the top of the shoulder down the left foreleg behind this item. Gross swelling and bruising around the top of this laceration indicated trauma and possible internal injury.

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There was evidence between the ears of oedemacious tissue on the skull around a small laceration The formation of bruising in this area is consistent with a blow to the head.
There was no other visible injury to the body at this stage.

Protective Clothing
During the course of the entire time I spent at the immediate scene I wore protective overshoes, a hooded white scene suit, and a mask (the hood of the scene suit was up at all times).

I was logged out of the inner cordon at 19:19 hrs by DC [CENSORED]
I was logged out of the outer cordon at 19:25 hrs.

POST MORTEM EXAMINATION

On the evening of the 28th May 1002 I attended the mortuary at Ponyville Urgent Care Hospital, Ponyville, in order to undertake a special post mortem examination on the body of Silver BRAISE.
The post mortem examination commenced at 21:20 hrs.
Those ponies present were:

Sgt. Nightjack, SIO
DI Autumn Breeze, Principal SOCO
[CENSORED] SOCO Exhibits
[CENSORED] Mortuary Technician

Photographs were taken under my direction. I performed the post mortem examination, assisted by Dr. A.N. DRAY, BS, MB, PhD, FRCS, MRCPath, Senior Consultant at Ponyville Urgent Care Hospital.
Received in a white, signature-sealed bodybag and wrapped in a black sheet was the body I recognised from the scene. Head and hoof bags were in place.
He was of slight build and above-average height.
He had a medium-grey coat, with a solid, dark grey mane and tail. His eyes were also grey.
His cutie mark resembled a compass divider, partially extended.
His hooves were well-trimmed and shod with heavily-worn, hoof-made steel shoes.
There was heavy dirt soiling on the right side of the body but no obvious sign of fresh damage.

Scars: A large number of small, old scars were present on the pasterns and fetlocks of both forelegs. There was two old burn scars approximately the size of a Royal Bit on the inside of his front left cannon.
Tattoos: There were no tattoos on the body.

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Clothing: None
Tack: None

Signs of Treatment
None

Post Mortem Changes
Rigor mortis was still firmly established in all muscle groups
Hypostasis was well-developed and did not shift on turning the body.
It was noted that hypostasis was generally weakly developed.

SIGNS OF SHARP FORCE INJURY
The body bore many incised wounds of varying depth, mainly on the left side of the body.

Head and Neck
1. On the left side of the neck at a point approximately 2 cms below the mane line at the 4th cervical vertebrae was a laceration of approximately 25 cms in length extending towards the point of the shoulder. The wound was approximately 1 cm deep at origin, increasing to approximately 2.5 cm deep at the shoulder, transecting the neck muscles but avoiding the carotid and jugular. At the shoulder there was tearing of the flesh apparent radially from the wound.
2. A laceration in the vascular groove, approximately 12 cms long, bisected the oesophagus passing from left to right but failed to sever the carotid arteries or right jugular vein. The left jugular was lacerated over a distance of approximately 1 cms of of the circumference.
3. Along the crest of the neck, on the left side, a long, shallow laceration starting approximately 10 cms behind the ear and extending for 23 cms, ranging from 0.5 cms deep at each end to approximately 1 cm deep in the middle.

Shoulders and Barrel
4. Extending from approximately 20 cms below the withers on the left shoulder to 5 cms below the knee of the left front leg, a ragged laceration ranging from 3 cms to 0.5 cms in depth. The wound was deepest passing through the muscle of the shoulder where it left a mark approximately 1 cms long on the ball of the humerus. The brachial artery was intact however numerous smaller blood vessels were severed. At the knee the wound was deep enough to expose the joint capsule. Fragments of wood and dirt were recovered from this wound and logged for forensic examination.
5. A superficial laceration on the front of the left front leg stretched from approximately 2.5 cms above the knee vertically down the cannon bone to approximately 5 cms above the fetlock.

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Fragments of wood and dirt were recovered from this wound, and superficial abrasions covering a total area of 5 cms x 5 cms were present on the front of the fetlock.
6. On the right shoulder, around the point of the shoulder, superficial abrasions covering a total area of 12 x 5 cms. The largest component lying posterior and 5 by up to 0.5 cms.
7. A deep puncture wound on the left side, triangular in shape measuring approximately 3 cms on each side, approximately 10 cms behind the withers and 20 cms down from the spine towards the belly. The wound passed between the ribs into the thoracic cavity.
8. A deep puncture wound on the left side, identical in nature to (7) above, approximately 17 cms behind the withers and 24 cms down from the spine towards the belly. The wound passed between the ribs into the thoracic cavity.
9. A deep laceration, 1 cm to 1.5 cms, along the length of the sternum, starting between the front legs and extending posteriorly for approximately 35 cms. At the belly there was tearing of the flesh apparent radially from the wound.
10. A shallower laceration, parallel to (9) above, approximately 11 cms to the right of midline and extending from between the front legs for approximately 20 cms. This wound became shallower as it passed towards the tail.

Belly and Hindquarters
11. A deep laceration, 35 cms long, approximately 5 cms left of the centreline of the body and commencing approximately 4 cms below the sternum, ending between the rear legs approximately 10 cms to the right of the centreline of the body. This laceration penetrated the abdominal cavity along its whole length, leading to the partial expulsion of the small intestines. The right lobe of the liver was transected vertically by this wound and the hepatic artery severed.
12. A deep laceration, approximately 18 cms long, parallel to (11) over the first 7 cms but offset to the left by 8cms, before becoming ragged and narrowing over the remaining distance to intercept the previous wound (11). The laceration penetrated the abdominal cavity over its whole length. The gastric and inferior mesenteric arteries were both severed.
13. A deep laceration, traversing the belly approximately 5 cms forward of the thighs. The wound begins approximately 15 cms below the right hip and traverses the belly to approximately 20 cms below the left hip. The laceration penetrated the abdominal cavity over its whole length, becoming ragged on the left side. The right femoral artery was lacerated and the leg nearly disarticulated at the femoral trochanter.
14. A deep puncture wound, triangular in shape measuring approximately 3 cms on each side, approximately 10 cms in front of the dock and 5 cms to the left of the spine.
15. A shallow laceration, ranging from 0.5 cms deep approximately 15 cms below and 5 cms behind the point of the hip to 1 cms deep to the top of the gaskin.
16. A shallow laceration, 0.5 cms deep, approximately centrally over the length of the gaskin.

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17. The left rear leg bore evidence of a compound displaced fracture of the tibia and fibula approximately 10 cms above the hock. Fragments of bone had penetrated the skin on the inner thigh.

General Remarks
There was extensive reddening around the whole injury complex indicating that they had been inflicted whilst the victim was alive.
The nature of the wounds, especially the puncture wounds, suggests they were inflicted by a weapon approximately triangular in shape and 3 cms on each side. The lack of tearing of the flesh at the proximal ends of wounds suggests the weapon was sharp on the inner curve, and the radial tearing and ragged nature of the distal ends of the wounds suggests that the weapon was curved or hooked causing the weapon to deepen the wound and slow its traverse, resulting in the weapon 'digging in'.

OTHER SIGNS OF INJURY/MARKS UPON THE BODY

Head and Neck
1. On the left parietal scalp at a point approximately 8 cms above and 1 cm behind the top of the left ear was a series of three, superficial abrasions covering a total area of 1.2 x 0.5 cms. The largest component lying posterior and 0.5 by up to 0.3 cms
2. Lying at a point approximately 5 cms behind the top of the left ear, at a similar level to the above-described injury, was an area of irregular abrasion extending in total over 2.5 x 2.5 cms in a rather discontinuous fashion. The longest component being 2.5 x 0.4 cms and linear.
3. Over the left side of the back of the vertex, at a point approximately 10 cms above and 8 cms behind the top of the left ear, was a 0.2 cm abrasion.

Shoulders and Barrel
There was a small globe of post mortem abrasions over the upper chest suggestive of insect activity, but no definite evidence of injury noted on external inspection.
Immediately anterior to the large wound recorded as (4) above, a large area approximately 30 cms in diameter, of gross swelling and bruising. Superimposed on this area were two clear hoof-marks indicating blunt-force trauma inflicted by a shod pony. Measurements and photographs of these marks were taken for possible identification purposes.

Right Fore Limb
No sign of sharp force or other injury to this part of the body.

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Left Fore Limb
No sign of additional injury to this area of the body.

Left Rear Limb
No sign of additional injury to this area of the body.

Right Rear Limb
A red lesion of uncertain origin on the inner aspect of the right, mid thigh and measuring less than 0.1 cms in maximum dimension.
Minor reddened lesion with a light serum crust, of uncertain Origin, over the inner aspect of the right knee, less than 0.1 cms in maximum dimension.
Punctate, reddened lesion, 0.1 cms across on the outer aspect of the left, upper thigh.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION

Scalp: There was evidence between the ears of oedemacious tissue on the skull around a small laceration The formation of bruising in this area is consistent with a blow to the head. The scalp was stripped to the level of the nape of the neck posteriorly.
Skull: The skull was of normal thickness, The dura was stripped and there was no skull fracture.
Brain: The meninges and dural sinuses were unremarkable. The external and cut-surface appearance of the brain was normal. There was no aneurysm and no intracranial haemorrhage.
Face: The facial soft tissues were dissected to the level of the bone and there was no evidence of soft tissue or bony injury.
Mouth: There was a small abrasion consistent with contact against the teeth or biting of the lips on the lower lip in the midline. This was approximately 0.6 x 0.3 cms. There was no significant vital reaction. There was no other injury to the lining of the mouth. The teeth were natural and uninjured. There was some evidence of previous dental work. The tongue was unbitten.
Neck: The neck structures were formally dissected in situ following full vascular drainage. The hyoid bone and thyroid cartilages were intact. The cervical spine was intact.
Chest: The pleura were stripped. The ribs were flayed and there was evidence of extensive fresh rib fractures to ribs 3, 4, and 5. The pleural cavities contained significant amounts of blood and fluid. The left humerus was found to have sustained a complex fracture with significant bleeding into surrounding tissues. This corresponds to the area of bruising noted above.
Lungs: The tracheobronchial tree was normal. The lungs were partially collapsed and contained significant amounts of blood and fluid. Several punctures to the lungs were evident, corresponding particularly to wounds (7) and (8) and also to the fracture of rib 4. In particular there

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was no evidence of infection, infarction, tumour or pulmonary embolus.
Heart: The aorta was normal. There was no aneurysm. The major non-coronary branches were widely patent. The great veins were unremarkable. The pericardium, atria and valves were normal. The right and left coronary arteries were co-dominant. The left and right coronary arteries emerged from a striate sinus. The ventricular chamber dimensions were normal.
Oesophagus: The oesophagus was bisected as per (2) above but was otherwise healthy and uninjured.
Stomach: The stomach contained a small amount of dark-coloured fluid without definite remnants of food. There was no intrinsic abnormality.
Intestines: The mesenteries were normal. There was no evidence of peritonitis. The small and large intestines were normal. The appendix was present and appeared healthy. The small intestines were partially expelled through wounds (11) and (12) and some crushing and tearing of the expelled intestines was present.
Liver: The liver showed pallor in keeping with blood loss but there was no focal abnormality. There was no macroscopic evidence of significant fibrosis. The gall bladder contained a moderate amount of relatively thin bile. There were no stones. The extrahepatic biliary tree was normal. The vascular structures of the porta hepatis were normal. The right lobe of the liver was transected vertically by wound (11) and the hepatic artery severed.
Kidneys: The renal capsules stripped with ease to reveal smooth-surfaced kidneys showing cortical pallor in keeping with blood loss but no other abnormality. The pelves were not dilated. The ureters were of normal calibre.
Bladder: The bladder contained a small volume of pale yellow urine. It was not cloudy. The bladder wall and mucosa appeared normal.
Spleen: The spleen had a normal external and cut-surface appearance. It was uninjured. There was no significant lymphadenopathy.
Endocrine Organs: The pituitary, parathyroid, thyroid, pancreas and adrenal glands appeared normal.
Organ Weights:
Brain 1621 gms
R Lung 368 gms
L Lung 475 gms
Heart 412 gms
Liver 136 gms
Pancreas 139 gms
Spleen 92 gms
R Kidney 159 gms
L Kidney 166 gms

Post mortem concluded at 00 17 hrs on 29 May 1002.

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EXHIBITS LIST – MORTUARY

The following exhibits were passed to DC [CENSORED] at the mortuary:
SHB/22 Head bag
SHB/23 Right front hoof bag
SHB/24 Left front hoof bag
SHB/25 Right rear hoof bag
SHB/26 left rear hoof bag
SHB/27 Body bag
SHB/28 Black sheet
SHB/29 Comb mane
SHB/30 Comb tail
SHB/31 Plucked mane hair
SHB/32 Pulled mane hair (drugs)
SHB/33 Jar of preserved urine
SHB/34 Container of urine
SHB/35 Container of bile
SHB/36 Container of bile (preserved)
SHB/37 Heart blood
SHB/38 Blood fluoride oxalate
SHB/39 Blood EDTA
SHB/40 Blood EDTA
SHB/41 Plain blood
SHB/42 Left lung
SHB/43 Contents of stomach
SHB/44 Liver
SHB/45 Deep muscle tissue
SHB/46 Vitreous humour (preserved)
SHB/47 Vitreous humour

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TOXICOLOGY

At the time of completing this report, I have been provided with the following verbal information by Dr Pixie DUST, a forensic toxicologist from the Royal Forensic Laboratory:
No alcohol has been detected.
The results of the analysis of volatile chemicals is still pending.

HISTOLOGY

A total of 15 Haematoxylin and Eosin stained sections have been examined.
The sections of the brain show mild widening of the pericellular and perivascular spaces in keeping with a mild degree of terminal brain swelling. There are no features of infarction (stroke), haemorrhage, inflammatory disorder or tumour. The meninges are normal.
The sections of the heart show no evidence of old or recent infarction. There are no inflammatory changes in the head muscle. The connective tissue component (interstitium) within normal limits.
The lungs show significant areas of collapse and oedema (fluid collection). There is no evidence of significant fibrosis (scarring) and no microscope evidence of infection, infarction, tumour or pulmonary embolus.
The liver was unremarkable.
The kidney shows typical post mortem changes but otherwise unremarkable glomeruli, tubules, interstitium and vessels.
The spleen and adrenal gland show no significant pathological abnormality.

TIME OF DEATH ESTIMATION

The following estimate offered of the likely post mortem interval is based upon the temperatures recorded at the scene and computed with the aid of Henssge's nomogram as described in: Henssge, Knight, Krompecher, Madea and Nokes, The Estimation of the Time of Death in the Early Post-Mortem Interval: 2nd Edition, 972.
Using the standard nomogram, the estimate obtained is that death is likely to have occurred some 14-20 hours prior to taking the body temperature at 13:15 hours on Friday 28th May.
This gives a time range of between 17:15 hours on 27th May and 23:15 hours on 27 May during which death is likely to have occurred.

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CONCLUSIONS

1. The deceased was an apparently adequately-nourished male pony in whom there is no evidence of natural disease that could of itself have caused death directly at the macroscopic (naked-eye) level.
2. He has evidence of a number of significant incised wounds, which have severed the hepatic, gastric, and inferior mesenteric arteries and lacerated the left jugular and right femoral veins as well as causing major trauma to the lungs and abdominal cavity.
3. The arterial injury has resulted in the loss of a significant volume of blood as noted at the scene.
4. With the exception of the long, partially-dressed laceration to the left shoulder and foreleg, the complex of incised wounds are suggestive of having been inflicted by a bladed weapon triangular in cross-section and possibly curved or hooked. No weapon was found at the scene which would match the pattern of the injuries inflicted.
5. The geometry of the possible weapon is not inconsistent with the claw of a large predator, however the lack of tooth marks or missing flesh from the body indicates against this hypothesis.
6. The debris and wood fragments recovered from the laceration to the left shoulder and foreleg suggest that this may have occurred inside the workshop rather than where the body was found.
7. The fractures to the ribs and left humerus are indicative that this pony has been subjected to a violent assault prior to his death. Hoof marks are clearly present in the bruising around the affected area and indicate that at least one pony was involved. The disturbed nature of the deceased's workshop is suggestive of a violent struggle.
8. The widespread bloodstaining present inside the workshop may be explained by the presence of the bucket and the dilute nature of the blood found in this location. This is reinforced by the crude dressing of the laceration to the left shoulder and foreleg, suggesting that some first aid was attempted.
9. There is no evidence from the post modern or my observations at the scene to indicate that the deceased had been dragged or otherwise transported to the location at which his body was found. Thus it is logical that a period of time must have elapsed between the incident inside the workshop and a second assault where fatal injuries were inflicted.
10. I have undertaken subcutaneous dissection of the legs and there is no positive evidence of restraint-type injury.
11. There is no positive pathological evidence to indicate that he has been subjected to compression of the neck such as by manual strangulation, ligature strangulation or the use of a hold.

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12. The injuries to the left shoulder and foreleg, and also the fractures of the ribs and humerus show evidence of a well-developed vital reaction suggesting that they have been inflicted over a reasonable period of time (minutes rather than seconds or hours) before death. No or weak vital reaction was evident for the remainder of the wounds including the fractures of the left rear tibia and fibula, suggesting that they occurred at or about the time of death.
13. There is a lack of classical 'defence' wounds against a sharp weapon attack.
14. The minor abrasions over the head and right chest are entirely consistent with scraping against rough ground and stones which were present at the scene.
15. In accordance with current Chamber of Justice guidelines I have retained small samples of major organs for histological analysis. The minor findings in the lungs and the brain are in keeping with the cause of death.
16. The pathological investigation into the cause of death is now complete and have no further need for Mr. BRAISE's body to be retained.
17. In summary, it is my opinion that the main factor involved in bringing about the death of Silver Hammerbuck BRAISE is the bleeding from the multiple incised wounds to his body. Had this not occurred he may well not have died at this time. Therefore I give as the cause of death-

la. Haemorrhage

lb. Multiple injuries

[CENSORED – signature]

Dr Jimmy FEELGOODE
BSc, MB, BS, MRCPath, DipRCPath(Forensic)
Chamber of Justice Accredited Forensic Pathologist
Consultant – Royal Forensic Pathology Services

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Author's Notes:

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