This document discusses several postmortem changes that occur after death including lividity, rigor mortis, cadaveric spasm, algor mortis, decomposition, adipocere formation, skeletonization, and mummification. It provides details on the timing and appearance of lividity and rigor mortis and how the distribution is affected by body position. The molecular mechanisms of rigor mortis contraction and postmortem caloricity are also summarized.
8. TIME OF APPEARANCE:
DISTRIBUTION:
OCCURENCE TIME
APPEARANCE in small
patches(1-2 cm in diameter )
1-2 hrs in plethorics .
1-4 hrs in anemics .
WELL-MARKED 4-6 hrs
FIXATION 6-8 hrs
POSTURE SITES
SUPINE NECK ENTIRE BACK FLANKS & SIDES OF NECK .
PRONE LOOSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE IN FRONT(COLOR IS
INTENSE) & TARDIEU SPOTS ARE COMMON .
CONGESTION NASAL BLEEDING
LYING ON ONE SIDE BLOOD WILL SETTLE ON THAT SIDE .
INVERTED(DRUNKEN) HEAD & NECK .
CONJUNCTIVAL HEMORRHAGE .
UPRIGHT(HANGING) LEGS,EXTERNAL GENITALIA , LOWER PART OF
FOREARM , HAND.
DROWNING FACE , UPPER CHEST , HANDS , LOWER ARMS , FEET &
8
A) Post-mortem hypostasis in a posterior distribution.
Areas of pallor can be seen as a result of pressure of the body
on a firm surface, whereas parts of the body not in direct contact
with that surface are purple/ pink because of the ‘settling of blood
under gravity’. This body has been lying on its back since death.
B) Post-mortem hypostasis pattern on the front of a
body found face down on a bed. The linear marks are formed
by pressure from creases in a blanket. Pallor around the
mouth and nose are caused by pressure against the bed and
do not necessarily indicate marks of suffocation.
C) Post-mortem hypostasis distribution following
hanging. Note the skin discoloration is in the legs and hands
because of the vertical body position after death and the
green discoloration in the right iliac fossa region.
FIG : Cadaveric rigidity – a rare post-mortem finding
that may be seen in bodies recovered from water, where
vegetation is found tightly ‘gripped’ in the hand.