POST-MORTEM CHANGES

SEMINAR, 25TH AUG 2008

DR Nikhil Bansal
J.N.M.C.,Wardha

Overview

Death
Definition and Type
Classification
Time Since Death
Different Changes After Death

Death
o

Total irreversible cessation of cerebral

function, spontaneous function of
respiratory system and circulatory
system.
The medico legal study of death falls
with in the unit of forensic science.

Types of Death Somatic

Death

The term death as commonly employed

means somatic death

It is due to complete and irreversible

cessation of vital function of brain
followed by cessation of function of heart
& lungs.

Signs of Somatic Death

(Immediate)

Cellular/Molecular Death

After somatic death tissue & cells

survive for a varying period depending
on the O2 requirement.
When these individual tissues & cell die,
it is termed as cellular molecular death.
It is generally complete in 3-4 hours of
somatic death.

Signs of Molecular Death

Time Since Death & Body

Condition
Time Since Death

Body Condition

Less than 1 hr

Body warm

3 hrs

Patchy post-mortem lividity

6-8 hrs

Lividity fully developed & fix

12 hrs

Rigor present all over

Green patches over Caecum

24-36 hrs

Body cold and rigor recceds

Ova of flies seen
Green discolouration adbo,
chest
Abdo distend with gas

48 hrs

Trunk bloated
Face decolouration
Swollen blister present
Moving maggots seen

Time Since Death & Body

Condition
Time Since Death

Body Condition

72 hrs

Whole body discoloured

Hair and nail loss
Tissue soft and discolourised

1 week

Soft viscera putrefied

2 weeks

Only the more resistant viscera

distinguishable

1-3 months

Body is skeletonized

Changes After Death (Early

Signs)

Rigor Mortis:-

Cadaveric Spasm:-

Changes After Death (Late

Signs)

Putrefaction:-

Adipocere Formation:-

Mummification:-

17

Thanks!

Seminar on Post-mortem Changes by Dr Nikhil

Bansal