Cadaveric Spasm
Definition
Instantaneous rigor without a flaccid phase, locking the muscle group active at death (clutched weapon, grass).
- Also called
- Instantaneous rigor
- Key feature
- No preceding flaccid phase
- Effect
- Locks the muscle group active at the moment of death
- Common examples
- Clutched weapon, grasped grass or clothing
Common questions
Why is cadaveric spasm forensically significant compared to ordinary rigor mortis?+
Because it locks in the exact muscular action occurring at the instant of death, an object still gripped in cadaveric spasm strongly suggests it was held voluntarily by the deceased at death, which is relevant to distinguishing suicide from staged scenes where a weapon has been placed in the hand afterward.
How is cadaveric spasm distinguished from ordinary rigor mortis at examination?+
Ordinary rigor develops gradually over hours after an initial flaccid period and affects all muscle groups progressively, whereas cadaveric spasm is confined to the specific muscles active at death and is present immediately, without the earlier flaccid interval.
Related terms
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- Algor Mortis
- Postmortem cooling of the body toward ambient temperature, approximately 1-1.5 degrees Celsius per hour under average conditions. Used alongside other postmortem changes...
- Autopsy
- Systematic external and internal examination of a dead body to find cause, manner and time of death. Ordered under BNSS 2023 Section...
- Decomposition
- Autolysis (intracellular enzymes) plus putrefaction (bacterial breakdown). Greenish discoloration starts over the right iliac fossa.
- Henssge Nomogram
- A graphical method using rectal temperature, ambient temperature and body weight to estimate PMI within a 95 percent confidence interval, with correction...
- Livor Mortis (Hypostasis)
- Bluish-purple settling of blood in dependent parts. Begins 30 minutes to 2 hours, fixed by 8 to 12 hours.
- Marbling
- Greenish-black branching pattern over superficial veins from haemoglobin plus H2S. 24 to 48 hour sign.
- Mummification
- Preservation of the body by desiccation rather than liquefaction, occurring when surface evaporation rate exceeds the rate of putrefaction gas production. Common...
- Post-Mortem Interval (PMI)
- The time elapsed between death and discovery or examination of remains. PMI estimation draws on multiple disciplines: soft tissue decomposition stage, insect...
- Putrefaction
- Decomposition of tissues by microorganisms, principally anaerobic bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract. Products include hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia, and putrescine, which cause...
- Rigor Mortis
- The post-mortem stiffening of muscle from ATP depletion and actin-myosin cross-linking. Develops over hours, peaks, and resolves with putrefaction.