ABSTRACT
Evaluating the changes that occur in a body after the death may help the investigator to estimate the time since death, known as the postmortem interval. Immediate postmortem changes are the body changes that occur at the time of death and within the minutes after death. Early postmortem changes mark the physiological changes that occur to the body within the first 36 hours from time of death. The investigator should record the observations of the physiological changes at the scene and presented to the medical examiner (ME), who may be able to determine a far more accurate postmortem interval than could be determined from scene indicators alone. Examination for the algor mortis is normally done or not done is in accordance with the local ME's policy. The late postmortem changes are those that are generally observed after 24 hours from time of death.
