Time Of Death Flashcards
0
Q
List the early signs death
A
- cooling of the body
- discoloration of the body
- stiffing of the body
1
Q
Postmortem interval
A
Time of death
2
Q
Early death Algor Mortis ( cooling of the body)
A
- a dead body can maintain normal body temperature for 1-3 hours
- cools one degree (c) per hour
3
Q
Early death Livor mortis ( discoloration of the body )
A
- occurs when the heart stops beating
- postmortem lividity
- caused by red blood cells settling by gravity
- appears within minutes after death
- a finger will make it go away but only for 10 to 12 hours after death
4
Q
Early death Rigor mortis ( stiffening)
A
- first muscles are the lower jaw( 20 min after) then spreads over the next 6 to 12 hours
- over 12-24 hours it disappears
- temperature dependent
5
Q
Other methods of testing early death
A
- potassium in the eye
- undigested in the stomach
6
Q
Late signs of death
A
- changes due to decomposition and autolysis
7
Q
Decomposition and autolysis
A
End result is all soft tissue eventually disappear and the body becomes skeletonized
8
Q
Late death
Marbling
A
Greenish discoloration
Fist is the skin around the belly button
As the skin decomposes, blisters form and rupture, allowing skin to slip and she’s
9
Q
Late death
Mummification
A
A black leathery appearance
Skin shrinks and dries
10
Q
Late death
Adipcere
A
When the body is found in water the fat beneath the skin saponifies( changes to a waxy material resembling soap)
11
Q
Bugs
A
- houseflies
- lays eggs in moist, exposed orifices such as nose, mouth and eyes
