Topic: Forensic examination of injuries and wounds
Question: Write briefly about i) Cadaveric spasm ii) Livor mortis
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Cadaveric Spasm:
- Definition: Sustained post-mortem muscle contraction due to persistent ATP availability.
- Cause: Results from sudden hypoxia before death, causing maximal muscle fiber contraction. ATP required to relax muscles becomes rapidly depleted after death.
- Features: Persistent rigid contraction of muscles for 12-24 hours after death. Often seen in violent deaths.
- Commonly affects:
- Small muscles of hands and feet causing rigid clenched fists or toe flexion.
- Jaw muscles causing teethed grin or risus sardonicus.
- Neck and back muscles causing opisthotonus arching of body.
- Distinguishing features from rigor mortis:
- Occurs at moment of death rather than hours later.
- Affects isolated muscle groups rather than generalized stiffness.
- Resists passive manipulation and stretching unlike rigor mortis.
ii) Livor Mortis:
- Definition: Post-mortem hypostasis or pooling of blood in dependent body parts.
- Cause: Cessation of circulation leads to blood complying with gravity and settling in vessels of lowest body parts.
- Features:
- Purple-red discoloration of skin in gravitationally dependent areas.
- Blanches with pressure initially but becomes fixed after 8-12 hours.
- Progresses from purple to dark red over time.
- Factors affecting livor mortis:
- Body position affects distribution.
- Pressure from clothing or objects can cause blanching.
- Livor fixation time varies with ambient temperature.
- Helpful for estimating time since death if body position undisturbed. Also indicates if body moved after death.
Cadaveric Spasm:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Onset | Occurs at moment of death |
| Duration | Persists for 12-24 hours after death |
| Muscles affected | Small muscles of hands, feet, jaw, neck and back |
| Appearance | Rigid muscle contraction and joint flexion |
| Manipulation | Resists passive stretching or manipulation |
Distinguishing from Rigor Mortis:
| Cadaveric Spasm | Rigor Mortis | |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Immediately at death | 2-6 hours after death |
| Duration | 12-24 hours | Up to 72 hours |
| Distribution | Isolated muscle groups | Generalized stiffness |
| Manipulation | Maintains contracted state | Can be released with force |
Livor Mortis:
Features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Onset | After death once circulation ceases |
| Color | Purple-red discoloration |
| Distribution | Dependent body parts |
| Blanching | Initial blanching with pressure |
| Fixation | Becomes fixed 8-12 hours after death |
Factors Affecting:
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Body position | Determines distribution |
| Pressure | Can cause blanching of areas |
| Temperature | Faster fixation in warm conditions |
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