ABSTRACT
AUTOPSY FINDINGS Livor Mortis e gradual appearance, concentration, and —xation of livor mortis are due to progressive intravascular hemoconcentration and lysis of the erythrocytes. Initially, livor mortis appears as small reddish purple cutaneous patches, which gradually coalesce. e distribution of livor mortis will shi¤ with repositioning of the body and will blanch with applied pressure. As the postmortem period increases in time, livor mortis will become less movable and, eventually, will become —xed and unmovable. Although the onset and —xation of livor mortis may be a˜ected by body size, cause of death, position of the body, and ambient temperature, it is generally accepted that livor mortis becomes visible from 20 minutes to 2 hours a¤er death and reaches its maximum at 8 to 12 hours a¤er death, at which time it becomes —xed (Di Maio and Di Maio 2001, Payne-James et al. 2003). e dependent areas supporting the weight of the body, such as the upper back, buttocks, and calves in a supinely positioned body, will appear paler compared to the surrounding livor mortis because body weight compresses blood vessels in these areas and prevents the accumulation of erythrocytes (Figures 3.1 and 3.2). Blanched areas may also appear in regions that are compressed from tight clothing, such as the straps from a brassiere or tight elastic in socks.
