Death Investigations TEST REVIEW

Front

What is rigor mortis?

Back

Rigor mortis is the post-mortem stiffening of the muscles due to chemical changes in the body after death, typically starting within 2-6 hours and lasting up to 24-48 hours.

Front

What does post-mortem lividity indicate?

Back

Post-mortem lividity indicates the position of the body after death, whether the body was moved, and if it was lying on something.

Front

What is the significance of the color of lividity?

Back

The color of lividity can indicate the cause of death; for example, cherry red lividity suggests carbon monoxide poisoning.

Front

How long after death does post-mortem lividity become noticeable?

Back

Post-mortem lividity becomes noticeable within 20 minutes to 3 hours after death.

Front

What is the first body part affected by rigor mortis?

Back

The face is typically the first body part affected by rigor mortis.

Front

What is the estimated time frame for rigor mortis to fully develop?

Back

Rigor mortis fully develops within 12 hours after death and can last for up to 48 hours.

Front

What factors can affect the onset of rigor mortis?

Back

Factors include ambient temperature, the individual's physical condition, and the cause of death.

Front

What is the role of entomology in death investigations?

Back

Entomology helps estimate the time of death by studying the life cycle of insects found on the body.

Front

What is the typical color of lividity in cases of drowning?

Back

In cases of drowning, lividity is often a darker purple due to the lack of oxygen.

Front

What does the absence of post-mortem lividity indicate?

Back

The absence of post-mortem lividity indicates that death occurred less than 2 hours prior.