When a person dies, some important changes take place in his body. The first of these changes is called "pallor mortis", in which the body starts turning pale. This condition occurs after about 15 to 20 minutes and is caused by the blood stopping flowing through the blood capillaries.
The process of pallor mortis
This process is the same for all people, but for people with darker skin, the changes may not be immediately visible. As the process of pallor mortis begins, the body temperature also gradually drops. Normally, the body temperature drops by about 1.5 °F (0.84 °C) per hour.
Autolysis: The process of self-digestion
After death, the body begins to go through a process of "autolysis," also known as self-digestion. During this, enzymes begin to digest the membranes of oxygen-deprived cells. Damaged blood cells leak out of their ruptured vessels, causing color changes on the skin's surface.
Timing of color change: Color changes, such as purplish blue coloration and red spots, begin to appear about an hour after death. However, these changes are usually not apparent until a few hours later.
Muscle condition: Rigor mortis
Another important process that occurs after death is called "rigor mortis." This process begins about two to six hours after death. During this time, muscles become stiff. This happens when chemical bridges begin to form between the actin and myosin proteins. As a result, the muscles contract and the body remains in that position until these bridges break.
Autopsy and funeral difficulties: Rigor mortis makes it challenging to perform an autopsy or prepare a body for cremation. This is because the body loses its flexibility after death, making it difficult to handle it properly.
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