Medicolegal significance of postmortem lividity in determination of time since death Rayamane Anand P1,*, Asst Prof, Kumar M P1, Assoc Prof, Nanandkar S D2, Prof and HOD, Chavan G S2, Assoc Prof, Bhise S S2, Asst Prof, Dayananda R1, Asst Prof 1Dept of Forensic Medicine, MMCRI, Mysore 2Dept of FMT, GMC& Sir JJH, Mumbai *Corresponding Address: Dr Anand PRayamane, MD (FM) PGDMLE, PGDHR, Assistant Prof, Deparment of Forensic Medicine, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore-570001 Cell- 07259114490. Email: anandprayamane@gmail.com
Online published on 29 April, 2015. Abstract In present study it was found that postmortem lividity usually appears 1 to 2 hours after death in punctate and small patchy form, 2 to 4 hours after death in big patchy form and 4 to 6 hours in homogenous form. Fixation of postmortem lividity occured during the period of 7 to 9 hours after death. Lividity is well appreciated in persons with fair complexion and in adequate light (Preferably in day light). Site of lividity helps to determine cause of death in hanging to a certain extent in cases of hanging and drowning by tanking other factors into consideration. Anemia significantly affects the process of appearance, extent and grade of lividity but does not affect fixation of postmortem lividity. In non ambulatory cases lividity appeared early & was well marked after death. It was moderate to well developed and fixed earlier by 2 to 3 hours than in ambulatory cases. Top Keywords Postmortem lividity, Time since death, Autopsy. Top |