Forensic Medicine · Death & Postmortem Changes

Postmortem Changes: Classification & Immediate Changes

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Classification

Postmortem changes are divided into three groups:

        Postmortem Changes
              |
   +----------+----------+
   |          |          |
Immediate   Early      Late

Immediate Postmortem Changes

These occur immediately after death.

Cessation of Respiration

  • Breathing stops permanently.

Cessation of Circulation

  • Heart stops beating.
  • Blood circulation ceases.

Loss of Voluntary Power

  • Complete muscular relaxation.
  • Loss of body movements.

Loss of Sensation

  • Loss of responsiveness to stimuli.

Loss of Reflexes

  • Deep and superficial reflexes absent.