Postmortem Changes
Postmortem changes refer to various processes that occur in a body after death producing a variety of effects. These changes can be divided into early and late time periods, the latter represented by decomposition, however the entire process represents a continuum. While the sequence of events can be predicted, many variables can influence the rate and extent of these alterations to the body, and so it is simply not possible to reliably estimate an accurate time of death (“postmortem interval”) based on these changes alone.
Early Postmortem Changes
Livor Mortis
Livor mortis, lividity or dependent hypostasis refers to settling of blood to the dependent parts (those closest to the ground) of the body following death. This occurs when the circulation stops and the blood settles in vessels under the effect of gravity and can be seen as pink or purple congestion of the skin. It will not occur if there is pressure on a vessel, for example if the body is lying on a hard...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Byard RW. Autopsy problems associated with postmortem ant activity. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2005;1:37–40.
Byard RW, James RA, Gilbert JD. Diagnostic problems associated with cadaveric trauma from animal activity. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2002;23:238–44.
Byard RW, Gehl A, Anders S, Tsokos M. Putrefaction and wound dehiscence. A potentially confusing postmortem phenomenon. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2006;27:61–3.
Byard RW, Farrell ER, Simpson E. Diagnostic yield and characteristic features in a series of decomposed bodies subject to coronial autopsy. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2008;4:9–14.
Byrd JH, Castner JL, editors. Forensic entomology – the utility of arthropods in legal investigations. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2001.
Dix J, Graham M. Time of death, decomposition and identification – an Atlas. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2000.
Galloway A, Birkby WH, Jonew AM, Henry TE, Parks BO. Decay rates of human remains in an arid environment. J Forensic Sci. 1989;34:607–16.
Haglund WD, Sorg MH, editors. Forensic taphonomy – the postmortem fate of human remains. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 1997.
Henssge C, Knight B, Drompecher T, Madea B, Nokes L. The estimation of the time since death in the early postmortem period. London: Edward Arnold; 1995.
Hewadikaram KA, Goff ML. Effect of carcass size on rate of decomposition and arthropod succession patterns. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1991;12:235–40.
Komar DA. Decay rates in a cold climate region: a review of cases involving advanced decomposition from the medical examiner’s office in Edmonton, Alberta. J Forensic Sci. 1998;43:57–61.
Mann RW, Bass WM, Meadows L. Time since death and decomposition of the human body: variables and observations in case and experimental field studies. J Forensic Sci. 1990;35:103–11.
Mellon PF, Lowry MA, Micozzi MS. Experimental observations on adipocere formation. J Forensic Sci. 1993;28:91–3.
Prahlow JA, Linch CA. A baby, a virus, and a rat. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2000;21:127–33.
Schoenly K, Griest K, Rhine S. An experimental field protocol for investigating the postmortem interval using multidisciplinary indicators. J Forensic Sci. 1991;36:1395–415.
Vass AA, Barshick SA, Sega G, Caton J, Skeen JT, Love JC, Synstelien JA. Decomposition chemistry of human remains: a new methodology for determining the postmortem interval. J Forensic Sci. 2002;47:2002.
Zhou C, Byard RW. Factors and processes causing accelerated decomposition in human cadavers. J Forensic Leg Med. 2011;18:6–9.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this entry
Cite this entry
Prahlow, J.A., Byard, R.W. (2012). Postmortem Changes and Time of Death. In: Prahlow, J.A., Byard, R.W. (eds) Atlas of Forensic Pathology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-058-4_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-058-4_8
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-057-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-058-4
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences