In a recent government meeting, a medical examiner provided detailed testimony regarding the case of a deceased individual, Octandra Shea West, during a jury examination. The examiner, who has an extensive educational background including a medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and years of forensic pathology training, has performed over 2,000 autopsies since beginning his career in 2015.

The examination of West, conducted on July 24, 2022, involved an external inspection report, which is a preliminary assessment that does not include internal examination. The medical examiner confirmed that West was transported to the office from the hospital after passing away there, and noted that she was an organ donor, with evidence of organ recovery present on her body.

During the external examination, the examiner identified multiple blunt force injuries, including abrasions, contusions, and significant lacerations to the head. Notably, the most severe injuries were located at the occipital region of the scalp, where fractured bone and brain tissue were visible. The examiner concluded that these injuries were consistent with the cause of death, which was determined to be blunt force injuries to the head.

Additionally, the medical examiner discussed the testing of West's blood, which revealed the presence of ketamine, a sedative commonly used in medical emergencies. This finding suggested that the drug was therapeutically administered during her hospital treatment following the incident that led to her injuries.

The testimony provided a comprehensive overview of the medical examination process and the findings related to West's death, emphasizing the role of forensic pathology in determining causes of death in complex cases.