Factores relacionados con la evaluación de la rigidez cadavérica en la determinación del tiempo de muerte: artículo de revisión

Abstract

Forensic thanatology is dedicated to the study of post-mortem phenomena through the analysis of corpses. It is based on the study of the changes that occur after death, known as cadaveric phenomena.

Rigor mortis, a characteristic sign of death, occurs due to the lack of ATP, causing the muscles to contract and stiffen. This process develops in four phases: delay, onset, irreversible stiffness, and resolution. Rigor mortis presents considerable variability in its temporal and anatomical evolution, and depends on multiple factors related to both the body and the environment where the corpse was found, such as temperature, age, physical condition, cause of death, and previous illnesses.

Cadaveric spasm is a form of muscle rigidity that can occur immediately after death, generally affecting the hands and other parts of the body depending on the circumstances, such as intense physical or emotional stress, drowning, or suicide. There are two types of cadaveric spasm: generalized, which affects the whole body, and localized, which only affects certain muscles. This phenomenon is useful for understanding the circumstances of death, such as in cases of aggression or suicide.

Estimating the time of death and evaluating rigor mortis are essential in forensic investigations to determine the circumstances of death. It also provides value for identifying the body and determining the mechanism and cause of death.