SIGNS DUE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CADAVERIC PHENOMENA

The following provide evidence as to the certainty of death:

1. Cooling of corpse
   
   This begins in the feet, hands and face about two hours after death, later extending to the extremities, chest and back until completely cold after about 10-12 hours after death. This time increases or decreases according to the environmental temperature.
   


2. Blemishes on the cadaver
   
   These are violet, red blotches that appear on the part of the body closest to the ground shortly after death. This indicates the position of the body after death and contrasts with the paleness of the rest of the body. If the body was face up, they appear on the buttocks, back and the area at the back of the neck.
   


3. Rigor mortis
   
   After the relaxation and the flaccidness of the muscles, rigor mortis sets in. It begins with the lower mandible after about 3 or 4 hours and reaches its maximum potential after 24 hours, disappearing 36 to 48 hours after death. This rigid condition can also occur immediately after an electrical discharge, but in this case it does not mean that the patient is dead for sure.
   


4. Putrefaction
   
   This occurs after rigor mortis disappears and takes place quicker when the environmental temperature is high. It usually begins with a green blotch on the abdomen and is a certain sign of death.