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What are the three changes after death?
- rigor mortis
- livor mortis
- algor mortis
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____ mortis is the stiffening of the body after death.
rigor
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_____ mortis will reflect the posture of the body in the several hours following death.
rigor
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What is the timing associated with rigor mortis?
- -becomes noticeable 1/2 to 3 hours after death
- -complete in 6 to 12 hours
- -begins to disappear 24 to 36 hours
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What factors can accelerate the onset of rigor mortis?
- -increased environmental temperature
- -increased body heat
- -strenuous physical activity at the time of death
- -frail or non-muscular body
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____ mortis is the dilation of blood vessels and settling or pooling of blood in the dependent portions of the body after death.
livor
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True or False: Livor mortis occurs only on the surface of the body.
False!
Livor mortis can occur on both the skin and internal organs.
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____ mortis will reflect the posture of the body if the body is moved several hours after death.
livor
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What is the timing associated with livor mortis?
- -purple discoloration ma appear in 15 to 30 minutes
- -at maximum is occurs 8 to 12 hours
- -will be fixed and non-blanching after about 12 hours
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Sometimes the color of lividity is important. What does a cherry red color imply? What does a green color imply?
cherry red: carbon monoxide, cyanide poisoning, cold temperatures
green: hydrogen sulfide poisoning
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What factors can delay and accelerate the onset of livor mortis?
Delay: hemorrhage, cold temperatures
Accelerate: heat, sepsis, heart failure
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____ mortis is the cooling of the body after death.
algor
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True or False: Under average conditions the body should feel cold after 12 hours.
True!
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Many variables affect algor mortis. What are some of them?
- -body temperature at time of death
- -environmental temperature
- -body habitus
- -amount of body fat
- -amount of clothing or bedding
- -temperature of surface the body rests on
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What is autolysis?
the softening and liquefaction of tissues due to digestive action of enzymes released from cells
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What is Putrefaction?
bacteria from intestines invade the body, spreading through the blood, and convert the soft tissue to liquid and gases
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What is the general order of decomposition?
- 1. intestines, pancreas, gallbladder
- 2. liver, blood, spleen
- 3. brain and spinal cord
- 4. heart
- 5. kidneys and bladder
- 6. skeletal muscles
- 7. uterus and prostate
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Decomposition at 2 to 3 days
- -greenish discoloration over the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, which then spreads up over the abdomen and chest
- -drying of fingertips and lips
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Decomposition at 1 week
- -most of the trunk is discolored greenish/purple
- -vessels show purple/brown coloring known as marbling
- -outer layer of skin may loosen and form subcutaneous blebs
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Decomposition and the 2nd week
- -maximum gas production
- -intestines and abdomen are distended first
- -blood stained fluid forced from body orifices
- -all tissues distend with gas causing generalized swelling of the body
- -tongue protrudes and globes of eyes protrude
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Decomposition at 3-4 weeks
- -hair and nails loosen
- -skeletalization begins
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What factors accelerate decomposition?
- -sepsis/infection
- -hot environment
- -hyperthermia
- -obesity
- -heavy clothing or bedding
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What factors delay decomposition?
- -refrigeration/ cold environment
- -exposure to cool surfaces
- -air conditioning
- -hypothermia
- -embalming
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