Signs of Death
The changes which occur after death are helpful in estimation of time of death.
Immediate signs
Early signs
Late signs
Immediate Signs: the earliest signs of death
Stoppage of function of nervous system
Insensibility and loss of both sensory and motor function.
Loss of reflexes, no response and no tonicity of the muscles.
Pupils are dilated.
Complete stoppage of respiration.
Complete stoppage of heart beat.
Early Signs: appears after 3-24 hrs of death
Skin: becomes ashy white, pale ,loses elasticity, lips are dry, brownish and hard due to drying
Eye: loss of corneal reflex, corneal opacity, flaccidity of the eye ball, segmentation of the retinal blood columns.
Cooling of the body: Algor mortis
Post mortem lividity: livor mortis
Rigor mortis.
Late Signs: Manifests after 24 hrs after death
It involves
1-Decomposition or Putrefaction
2-Adipocere or Saponification
3-Mummification.
Decomposition or Putrefaction
It is a process by which complex organic body tissue break down into simpler inorganic compounds or elements due to the action of saprophytic microorganisms
Medico-Legal Importance
1-It is the surest sign of death.
2-Can help in establishing time of death.
3-Cause of death may remain unknown in advance stage of putrefaction.
Adipocere Formation or Saponification
It is formed by the anaerobic bacteria, hydrolysis of fat in tissue, such as body fat in corpses. It occurs most often in women or obese adult and children. Fat is transformed to fatty acids by the process of hydrogenation.
Medico-Legal Importance
1-Body appearances, features are retained which helps in establishing identity of the body.
2-All injuries are well preserved which helps in assessing the various causes of death.
3-It can help in establishing the time and place of death.
Mummification
It is the rapid dehydration and shriveling of the dead body from evaporation of water, with preservation of natural appearances and features of the body.
Medico-Legal Importance
It is the surest sign of death.
A rough estimate of the time of death can be made.
Well preserved natural appearances and features of the body helps in identification of the body.
The cause of death can be determined from the injuries.
The place of disposal of the body can be made.
CONCLUSION
The determination of time of death is of crucial importance for Forensic Investigators, both in civil and criminal cases especially when they are gathering evidence that can support or deny the stated actions of suspects in a crime.
The time of death is not confined to criminal investigation; it can also come into play in civil situations. Insurance payments may depend upon whether the insured individual was alive at the time the policy went into effect or if he died before the policy expired Likewise property inheritance can hinge on when the deceased actually died.
