MEDT230 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Hemothorax, Hydrolysis, Body Identification

• School: University of Delaware
• Department: Medical Laboratory Sciences
• Course: MEDT230
• Professor: Jarrett Earl

Document Summary

The longer the time between death and the attempt to determine time of death, the less precise the estimate of time of death will be. Many factors are/have been used in determining time of death: livor mortis. A reddish purple coloration in dependent areas of the body due to accumulation of blood in the small vessels of the dependent areas secondary to gravity. Dependent areas resting against a firm surface will appear pale in contrast to the surrounding livor mortis. This is due to compression of blood vessels preventing accumulation of blood. Areas where there was tight clothing, such as a bra, or areas supporting body weight, such as the butt when a body is on its back, will appear blanched and pale. In deaths due to carbon monoxide, livor mortis usually appears cherry-red to pinkish. Similar coloration may be caused by exposure to cold temperatures or death from cyanide.