POSTMORTEM CHANGES

Mahmoud Ahmed Mahmoud

846

CLASSIFICATION

Postmortem Changes:

• Cessation of respiration• Cessation of circulation• Loss of voluntary muscle power

Immediate:

• Skin & Eye changes• Algor mortis• Livor Mortis• Muscle changes

Early:

• Putrefaction• Adipocere formation• Mummification

Late:

POSTMORTEM HYPOSTASIS(LIVOR MORTIS)

Definition:

o Bluish discoloration.o Dependent parts.o Pressure points.

Mechanism:

Dependent Areas:

o Gravitation of blood.

Pressure Areas:

o Compression of BV.

Time:

Completed after 6-8 hrs (Fixation).

Visible after 2 hrs (Diffusion).

Begin after death (Gravitation).

Color:o Normally : Bluish-purple.o CO poisoning : Cherry-red.o CN poisoning : Bright-red.o Phosphorus : Dark-brown.

Color: (Cont.)

o Methemoglobinemia : Brown.o Asphyxia : Deep bluish-violet.o Hemorrhage : ill defined.o Coldness : Pink.

Distribution:

In supine position: In prone position:

Distribution: (Cont.)

Hanging: Drowning:

Distribution: (Cont.)

Moving:

Distribution: (Cont.)

Internal Organs:

Hypostasis & Bruises:

Hypostasis Bruises

Dependent areas Any where

Well defined edges Ill defined edges

Blood is retained in intact capillaries (Intravascular)

Blood escapes through ruptured capillaries

Pale over pressure areas Red

Incision: blood flows from the cut vessel (washable)

Incision: blood coagulates in tissue

No swelling May be with swelling

Medicolegal Importance:

o Sign of death.o Helps in estimating the time of death.o Indicates posture of the body at death.o Colour may indicate the cause of death.o Hypostases may resemble bruises.

Thank You