Postmortem changes 1

Forensic Taphonomy

(“taphos”=grave ; “nomos”=law)

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Signs of death INSENSIBILITY & LOSS OF VOLUNTARY POWER

CESSATION OF RESPIRATION

CESSATION OF CIRCULATION

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Postmortem lividity (/staining/hypostasis)(LIVOR MORTIS/SUGGILATION/VIBICES)

(D)

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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 &

CALVES .

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Cadaveric spasm

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Rigor mortis

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MOLECULAR MECHANISM OF CONTRACTION IN RIGOR MORTIS CONDITION

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ALGOR MORTIS(COOLING OF BODY)

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POST MORTEM CALORICITY

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DECOMPOSITION

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STAGES OF PUTREFACTION

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Adipocere formation

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SKELETONISATION

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Mummification

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

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