Deck 4: Time of Death

Question 1

Rigor mortis is:

A) The part of the brain where critical thinking and awareness are centered
B) The part of the respiratory system that ceases at death
C) The postmortem stiffening of the body
D) The system of muscle bundles that contract to allow a person's limbs to move

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Full rigor mortis:

A) Is seen at the height of muscle rigidity and at average household temperatures it occurs about 6 to 8 hours after death
B) Only occurs if the body is frozen
C) Occurs after decomposition
D) Is the postmortem settling of blood

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Livor mortis:

A) Is seen at the height of muscle rigidity and at average household temperatures it occurs about 6 to 8 hours after death
B) Is only found on the back of the decedent
C) Is the postmortem settling of blood
D) Is the organ in the body that creates insulin

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The liquid condition of blood remains for:

A) Approximately three days
B) The first 3 to 4 hours following death and becomes relatively fixed in position after 6 to 8 hours
C) As long as the veins are not severed
D) Approximately an hour and it then becomes hardened

Question 5

___________ refers to the early postmortem period when pressure applied by the investigator's hand will dispel the blood in an area of dependent livor and appear uniformly pale then slowly return to pink.

A) Blanchable
B) Cellulitis
C) Recidivism
D) Turgor

Question 6

The first stage of decomposition is:

A) Blistering
B) Skin slippage
C) Degloving
D) Venous marbling

Question 7

Venous marbling occurs when the blood decomposes within the vascular system and produces brown vessel arborization on the skin.

Question 8

Mummification is a form of decomposition that occurs in hot arid environments where the body is partially protected from the sun and the air is blowing across the body drying it.

Question 9

Soapification is the process of decomposition in cold wet environments such as cold lakes, rivers, or basements and is called adipocere.

Question 10

Fingernails continue to grow after death.

Question 11

The first insects to attack a body are flies, usually blowflies.

Question 12

Embalming is the practice of removing the blood from the vascular system and replacing it with formalin.

Question 13

A body having undergone an autopsy can still be viewed by the family and have an open casket funeral.

Question 14

Even in an unwitnessed collapse, it is possible to determine the time of death.