Post Mortem Changes

Post Mortem Changes Quiz Crafted By -

Afreen Tarannum

Senior Scientific Officer

Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science India Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi

Introduction to Post Mortem Changes

There are 4 stages of post mortem changes seen in the body after death: Pallor Mortis, Algor Mortis, Rigor Mortis, and Livor Mortis. Death is one of the most fundamental facts of life. After we die, there are 4 stages of changes that occur in the body. They are used, primarily, to determine the time of death or post mortem index (PMI) in forensic pathology

Let's look at the questions and their answer.


Ques 1. Postmortem muscle contraction refers to:

a) Rigor Mortis

b) Liver Mortis

c) Algor Mortis

d) Lividity

Answer-b) Liver Mortis


Ques 2. Cadaveric spasm indicates

a) Suicide                                                      

b) Natural death                                                        

c) Last act of a person before death

d) Homicide

Answer- c) Last act of a person before death


Ques 3. The sequence of post-mortem changes in a cadaver includes

a) Primary Flaccidity, Rigor Mortis, Secondary Flaccidity, Marbling

b) Rigor Mortis, Primary Flaccidity, Secondary Flaccidity, Marbling                                                     

c) Primary Flaccidity, Secondary Flaccidity, Rigor Mortis, Marbling

d) Marbling, Secondary Flaccidity, Primary Flaccidity, Rigor Mortis                                                        

Answer- a) Primary Flaccidity, Rigor Mortis, Secondary Flaccidity, Marbling


Ques 4. Which of the following factors promote the onset and progression of decomposition?

a) Heat                                                      

b) Environmental Medium

c) Body Habitus                                                        

d) All of the above

Answer-d) All of the above


Ques 5. Which of the following organism is associated with putrefaction?

a) Mycobacterium Smegmatis                                                      

b) Mycobacterium Leprae

c) Clostridium Welchi                                                        

d) Trepanoma Pallidium

Answer-c) Clostridium Welchi   


Ques 6. “Internal organs liquefy and the body begins to dry out” is observed in which stage of decomposition.

a) Stage 4                                                     

b) Stage 1

c) Stage 5                                           

d) Stage 2

Answer-a) Stage 4      


Ques 7. Cardinal signs of death may refer to:

a) Cessation of Breathing                                               

b) Cessation of heartbeat

c) Both (a) and (b)

d) None of the above

Answer-c) Both (a) and (b)


Ques 8. Baar’s technique is used during post -mortem

a) To remove eyes                                                      

b) To excise tests

c) To remove brain in infants                                                       

d) To remove brain in adults

Answer-c) To remove brain in infants


Ques 9. Rigor mortis starts when muscle ATP is reduced below

a) 50%

b) 15%

c) 10%

d) 5%                                          

Answer-b) 15%


Ques 10. Heat stiffening in muscles occurs above temperature

a) 30 °c

b) 40°c

c) 50°c

d) 60° 

Answer-d) 60° 

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