Livor Mortis and Rigor Mortis Time Scales

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the approximate time scales and observations for Livor Mortis and Rigor Mortis based on lecture notes.

Livor Mortis: No discoloration

The condition of a body that has been dead for $< 2\,\text{hrs}$.

Livor Mortis: Light discoloration

The observation noted $2-4\,\text{hrs}$ after death.

Livor Mortis: Dark purple discoloration

The observation when discoloration becomes permanent, occurring between $4-8\,\text{hours}$.

Rigor Mortis: No visible signs of rigor

The stage occurring when a body has been dead for less than $2\,\text{hours}$ or more than $36\,\text{hours}$.

Rigor Mortis: Rigor @ head and neck

The observation seen when the body has been dead for just over $2\,\text{hrs}$.

Rigor Mortis: Rigor EVERYWHERE

The state where the body is most rigorous, occurring at $12\,\text{hrs}$.

Rigor Mortis: Gradual disappearance

The phase of rigor mortis that occurs between $13-24\,\text{hrs}$.

Rigor Mortis: Rigor in legs, but not in head/neck

The specific observation noted between $24-26\,\text{hrs}$ after death.

Rigor Mortis: Stiffness generally disappears

The final stage of rigor mortis which occurs between $24-36\,\text{hours}$.