Warren McLeod, MA, D-ABMDISouth Puget Sound Community College

Time of deathTIME OF DEATH:-may focus attention on specific suspect

-corroborate/disprove alibi-NO SINGLE RELIABLE METHOD EXISTS-variablesHomicide investigators should be aware of postmortem changesPROCESS OF DYING:-heart stops/blood stops organs die at various time frames-postmortem decomposition begins right at death (death of

immune system)-temperature, time, location, humidity, physical condition,

clothing

POST MORTEMChanges after death:-Color: waxy, translucent lookEyes: -no reaction to light/touch-cornea cloudy-tache noireAlgor mortis: loss of body heat-98.6 during life-after life: loses heat until same as environment-rate of cooling a variable in determining time of death-rectum/liver temperature probe-ambient temperature-Livor mortis: Blood stops pumping and pools to lowest pointa. Blanching-2-12 hoursb. Fixed-12-24 hours

POST MORTEMLivor mortis:-tells position of the body-colors can varyCherry redDeep red/purplePetechia

POST MORTEMRigor mortis: stiffening/contracting of muscles-2-4 hours after death-neck/jaw/progresses-Full 12-24 hours-Passing-same progression as it started-Completely passed 24-48 hours.ALL TIMES ARE ESTIMATES DUE TO VARIABLES!Cadaveric Spasm

GASTROINTESTINAL CONTENTS:-digested/undigested foods-various ingested foods at various times in body-empty within 4-6 hours-contents can be determinedPutrification:-decompositionbreakdown of cells/organs (autolysis)-effected by environmentBacterial -soft tissues to liquids/gases (phew)-starts right after death-noticeable after 24 hours-greenish discoloration after 36 hours (abdomen)-veins in skin purple blue (marbling)

Bloating-several days-Skin blistersAdipocere:-greasy, soap like substance on body surface (moist area)

EXTERNAL AGENTS OF CHANGE:-insects-

EntomologistStages of development -Animals-DomesticFerrel