Post mortem changes Flashcards
what are the natural processes which occur after death
algor mortis, livor mortis, rigor mortis, autolysis and putrefaction, adipocere, mummification, skeletonisation
algor mortis
cooling of body after death as it equilibrates with the temperature of surroundings, may be useful of PMI in first 24 hours but unreliable so not used much.
bodies cool quicker in ___ than in ____
water, air
livor mortis
discolouration, pink or purple, gravitation of blood in blood vessels,
livor mortis
discolouration, pink or purple, gravitation of blood in blood vessels, poor indicator of post mortem interval
rigor mortis
muscle fibres can’t tense as they need ATP to break actin myosin bonds, ATP requires oxygen binding =,==
what muscles develop rigorous mortis first
smaller muscles eg eyelids and ears
autolysis
enzymatic breakdown of cells or tissues
putrefaction
bacterial breadsown of cells/ tissues
maceration
autolytic changes which occur when foetus remains in utero after its demise
putrefaction
bacterial breakdown of cells/ tissues. green discolouration of lower abdomen, greenish black discolouration and swelling of face, reddish brown purge fluid from nose and mouth, gas formation, skin and hair slippage, marbling
adipocere
saponification of soft tissues (requires wet conditions)
mummification
desiccation of soft tissues (requires cool dry conditions)
adipocere
saponification of soft tissues (requires wet conditions). appears yellow white or brown and waxy
mummification
desiccation of soft tissues (requires cool dry conditions). skin dries and shrinks and is leathery, internal organs may decompose or be preserved
