Which of the following are postmortem physical changes?

• A. Rigor mortis, livor mortis, decomposition
• B. Algor mortis, livor mortis, dehydration
• C. Rigor mortis, algor mortis, hydration
• D. Dehydration, rigor mortis, embalming

Answer: (B)

Postmortem physical changes refer to the physiological alterations that occur in the body after death. These changes are critical for understanding the process of decomposition and the embalming process.

In option B, the three changes listed—algor mortis, livor mortis, and dehydration—are all recognized postmortem changes.

Algor mortis refers to the cooling of the body after death as it begins to lose heat to the surrounding environment. This process typically occurs until the body reaches ambient temperature, which can provide valuable information about the time of death.

Livor mortis, also known as postmortem hypostasis, is the settling of blood in the lower parts of the body due to gravity. This results in a purplish discoloration of the skin and can help indicate the position of the body after death, as well as assist in determining the time since death.

Dehydration occurs postmortem as moisture from the body is lost to the environment, leading to desiccation of tissues. This can affect the appearance of the body and is a crucial consideration in the embalming process.

Overall, these three changes are essential for understanding what happens to a body after death and play a key role in forensic science and mortuary practices.