Time of Death

Front

What is the main factor that causes the onset and progression of livor mortis in a deceased person's body?

Back

The force of gravity

Front

What physiological process causes rigor mortis in a deceased person's body?

Back

Stiffening of the muscles due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients after death.

Front

Algor mortis describes the cooling of the body after death. The average rate of cooling is ________ degrees Fahrenheit per hour.

Back

0.5 - 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit per hour

Front

How do environmental factors such as temperature and humidity affect the onset and duration of rigor mortis, algor mortis, and livor mortis?

Back

Temperature and humidity can affect the onset and duration of rigor, algor, and livor mortis.

Front

A body is found in a room that is maintained at a constant temperature of 68°F. The body temperature upon discovery was 77°F. What is the approximate time since death?

Back

20 - 24 hours

Front

A body is found with lividity on the dorsal (back) side of the victim. The body is then turned onto its side and lividity begins to shift. What can be concluded about the time since death?

Back

Death occurred more than two hours ago but less than eight hours ago.

Front

A body is found with rigor mortis present in the jaw and neck, but not in the limbs. What can be concluded about the time since death?

Back

Death occurred within the past 2-4 hours.

Front

A body is found in a car that has been parked in a garage with the engine off for an unknown amount of time. The body temperature is 98°F, and the room temperature is 85°F. There is no evidence of lividity, but slight rigor mortis is present in the jaw and neck. Based on this information, what is the approximate time since death?

Back

1-2 hours

Front

A body is found in an abandoned building with fixed lividity on the back and rigor mortis present throughout the body. The body temperature is 80°F, and the outdoor temperature at the time of discovery is 70°F. Based on this information, what is the approximate time of death?

Back

12 - 18 hours

Front

Death stiffness

Back

Rigor mortis