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Post Mortem Changes: Postmortem Changes After Death Immediate Changes Early Changes Late Changes
Post Mortem Changes: Postmortem Changes After Death Immediate Changes Early Changes Late Changes
Immediate Changes
Early Changes
Late Changes
Immediate changes
Brain-stem death
• Magnus test
• Finger nail test
• Diaphanous test
• Icard’s Fluorescein test
• Heat test
• Artery incision test
• A flat E.C.G. for a continuous period of five minutes
Entire and permanent cessation of respiratory
function
• Mirror test
• Feather test
• Winslow’s glass water test.
SUSPENDED ANIMATION
It is a condition in which the vital functions
of the body are at such a low level that
they cannot be appreciated by clinical
examination
Apparent death
• Age
• Condition of the body
• Mode of death
• Surroundings
• Environmental temperature
POSTMORTEM LIVIDITY
It means discolouration or staining of the skin and
organs after death due to accumulation of fluid
blood in the dependent parts of the body.
• Fixation of lividity
• Site of distribution
• Pattern
• Extent
• Secondary relaxation
PRIMARY RELAXATION
Starts immediately after death with generalised
relaxation of muscle tone:
• Drop of lower Jaw
Myofibrils
Myosin and Actin
Adenosine Triphosphate – A.T.P.
Time of Onset :
Temperate climates – 3-6 hours
Tropical climates – 1-2 hours
• Rigor mortis generally occurs when body is cold.
18 - 36 hours in summer
• In general – 1-2 hours sets on
Secondary Relaxation :
• Muscles become soft and Flaccid
• Do not respond to a mechnical and electrical
stimulus.
CASE SIMULATING RIGOR MORTIS BEFORE
DEATH
Mummification.
DECOMPOSITION / PUTREFACTION
Last stage in the resolution of the body,from the organic
to the inorganic state, is a certain sign of death.
AUTOLYSIS
Rise of enzyme levels in the tissue cells after death.
Starts 3-4 hrs after death and continues for 2-3 days.
BACTERIAL ACTION
Action of bacterial enzymes on tissue components –
carbohydrates/fat/proteins.
Bacterial growth – warmth,moisture are conditions
favourable.
Clostridium welchii, streptococci, E coli, B proteus.
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES
COLOUR CHANGES
Greenish discoloration of skin over caecum and
flanks after death appears 18-24 hrs.
Greenish to black discoloration-
‘Sulphmethahaemoglobin’ formed by H2S due to
microorganisms in the large intestine.
Appears early in summer & delayed in winter.
Discoloration spreads- front of abdomen, external
genitals, chest, neck, face, arms and legs – spreads
whole body in 24-36 hrs.
Discoloration of vessel walls due to pigmentation
from decomposed blood over the shoulder and groin.
Arborescent pattern- ‘Marbling’
GASES OF PUTREFACTION
Development of gases under the skin and hollow
viscera 18-36 hrs. 24-48 hrs in solid viscera.
H2S, ammonia, phosphated hydrogen, CO2 and
methane.
Causes pseudo rigidity, exerts pressure.
LIVER
Softens and flabby
Air
1 week in air = 2 weeks in water = 8 weeks buried –
‘Casper dictum’
Manner of burial
In air tight coffins, very little change of body for
long periods.
Without coffins, putrefaction is very rapid.
Sex
Mode of death
ADIPOCERE
M.L.I. – Identification
- Cause of death
- Time since death
- Place of death
TIME SINCE DEATH/ POST MORTEM
INTERVAL