Post mortem changes

Question 1

What early changes occur to the body, after death

Answer 1

Temperature degradation

Hypostasis

Rigor mortis

Question 2

What is hypostasis

Answer 2

the accumulation of fluid or blood in the lower parts of the body or organs under the influence of gravity, when circulation ceases

Question 3

What late changes occur to the body, after some time has passed after death

Answer 3

Decomposition & autolysis

Mummification

Adiocere

Skeletonisation

Question 4

What factors affect the rate of temperature degradation

Answer 4

Initial body temperature
Body dimensions 
Outside temperature
Clothing/coverings 
Air movement & humidity 
Medium surrounding the body  
Posture 
Haemorrhage

Question 5

What causes rigor mortis

Answer 5

Stiffening & shortening of muscle fibres

Leads to rigidity of musculature & fixation of the joints

Question 6

Decomposition

Whatis putrefication?

Answer 6

Microbiological degeneration

Question 7

Decomposition

What is autolysis?

Answer 7

Endogenous proteolytic degeneration

Question 8

What is mummification?

Answer 8

‘Dry’ decomposition

Desiccation of the body with a relative lack of bacterial involvement

Question 9

What is adipocere?

Answer 9

When fatty tissue within the body changes into a greasy/waxy or brittle material which often remains attached to the skeleton

Tends to occur in wet environments

Question 10

What is skeletonisation?

Answer 10

When all soft tissues have degraded completely