Not everything that looks like rigor mortis is rigor mortis. Certain conditions may mimic rigor and this can be misleading, especially when trying to determine a time of death or if a body was moved after death.
Conditions associated with pseudo-rigor mortis:
(1) putrefaction (“putrefactive rigor”)
(2) freezing
In putrefactive rigor gases in the tissue causes the extremities to become extended. There should be evidence of putrefaction on gross and microscopic examination.
A body may be completely frozen either accidentally or intentionally. The associated rigidity should reverse after the body is warmed up.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
