Thanatochemistry

James M. Dorn received his B.S. in Biology and a Chemistry Minor from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois.  He then went on to receive his M.S. in Virology at the University Of Cincinnati College Of Engineering.   He is very involved in the field of embalming.  He is an Ohio Licensee in Embalming and Funeral Directing, a member of Ohio Funeral Directors Association Disaster Response Team, a member of  Ohio Embalmers Association, a Chairman American Board of Funeral Service Education National Board Examination Liaison Committee, the Vice President University Mortuary Science Education Association, and also an Education Consultant  at the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Currently, James M. Dorn is the Chairman of the Department of Embalming Sciences at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and is currently teaching Anatomy, Chemistry, Pathology and Microbiology.   Dr. Barbara Hopkins received her B.A. and Ph.D. from the Catholic University of America.  She is currently the Associate Professor and Chair of the chemistry department at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Her areas of expertise are Laser Induced Fluorescence, ICP-AES of organo-metal compounds. She received the McDonald Award for Outstanding Teaching in the Sciences in 1999.

• PART I General Chemistry Chapter 1 Introduction Definition of Chemistry Divisions of Chemistry Chemical Measurements Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 2 Physical and Chemical Changes Physical Properties Chemical Properties Physical and Chemical Changes Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 3 States and Types of Matter Solid→Liquid→Gas Solid→Gas Characteristics of States of Matter Types of Matter Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 4 Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding Atoms The Periodic Table Chemical Bonding Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 5 Chemical Shorthand: Symbols, Formulas, and Equations Symbols Formulas Molecular Mass Naming of Compounds Equations Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 6 Radiation Chemistry Radioactivity Transmutation Half-Life Artificial Transmutations Radiation Quantities and Units Radiation Detectors Protection from Radiation Sources of Radiation Encountered by Embalmers Vehicles of Radionuclide Therapy Preparation of the Body Without Autopsy Preparation of the Autopsied Body Cremation Summary of Precautionary Procedures Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 7 Oxygen Facts about Oxygen Physical Properties Chemical Properties Methods for the Preparation of Oxygen Factors Affecting Reaction Rates Forms of Oxygen Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 8 Hydrogen Facts about Hydrogen Physical Properties Chemical Properties Preparation of Hydrogen Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 9 Water Facts about Water Physical Properties Hydrogen Bonding Chemical Properties Preparation of Water Classes of Impurities in Water Hardness in Water Other Purification Methods Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 10 Solutions Types and Components of Solutions Solubility Concentration Terms Properties of Solutions Application of Osmotic Principles to Embalming Colloids and Suspensions Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 11 Acids, Bases, Salts, and Ionization Self-Ionization of Water Definitions of Acids and Bases Arrhenius Theory Common Aqueous Bases Properties of Aqueous Acids and Bases Brønsted–Lowry Theory Lewis Theory Anhydrides Salts Ionization pH: Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 12 Hydrates and Hydrolysis Hydrates Hydrolysis Chapter Summary Questions PART II Organic Chemistry Chapter 13 Introduction Nature of Organic Chemistry Properties of Carbon Functional Groups Formulas Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 14 Hydrocarbons Types and Properties of Hydrocarbons Aromatic Hydrocarbons Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons Sources of Aromatic Compounds Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 15 Alcohols and Ethers Alcohols Important Alcohols in Embalming Phenols Cresols Resorcinol Hexyl Resorcinol Hexachlorophene Comparison of Alcohols as Germicides Thioalcohols (Mercaptans) Ethers Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 16 Aldehydes and Ketones Aldehydes Ketones Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 17 Carboxylic Acids and Esters Structure of Organic Acids Monocarboxylic Acids Aromatic Carboxylic Acids Acidic Nature of Carboxylic Acids Organic Salts Dicarboxylic Acids Hydroxy Acids Chelates Lactic Acid Esters Thioesters Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 18 Amines and Amides Amines Reactions of Amines Aromatic Amines Heterocyclic Amines Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Chapter Summary Questions PART III BIOCHEMISTRY Chapter 19 Introduction Elemental Composition Molecular Composition Macromolecules Metabolism Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 20 Proteins Protein Composition Amino Acids Amphoterism Peptide Linkage Cross-Linking of Proteins Protein Structure Hemoglobin Breakdown of Hemoglobin Denaturation Protein Breakdown Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 21 Enzymes Enzyme Function Nomenclature Chemical Properties of Enzymes Regulation of Enzyme Activity The Role of Enzymes in Decomposition Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 22 Carbohydrates Definition and Classification Monosaccharides Disaccharides Polysaccharides Proteoglycans Reactions of Carbohydrates Synthesis of Adenosine Triphosphate Muscle Contraction: Rigor Mortis Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 23 Lipids Classification of Lipids Simple Lipids Compound Lipids Miscellaneous Lipids Reactions of Lipids Significance of Lipids to the Embalming Process Chapter Summary Questions Chapter 24 Summary of the Action and Composition of Embalming Fluids Actions of Preservative Chemicals Preservation by Formaldehyde Embalming Fluids: Basic Types Factors Influencing Stability of Fluids (Shelf Life) Potentially Hazardous Chemicals used in Embalming or Present in the Mortuary Chapter Summary Questions Appendix A Appendix B Glossary Index