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Review Article
WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL
Ranjeeta et al. World Journal
AND MEDICAL RESEARCH of Pharmaceutical and Medical ISSN 2455-3301
Research
www.wjpmr.com WJPMR

DEATH AND ITS MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS

Dr. Ranjeeta Singh Deo*1 and Prafulla2

1
M.D (Scholar) final Yr., Rani Dullaiya Smriti P. G. Ayurved College Evam Chikitsalaya, Bhopal, M.P, India.
2
Reader, Dept. of Agad Tantra Evam Vidhi Vaidayak Rani Dullaiya Smriti P.G. Ayurved College Evam Chikitsalaya,
Bhopal, M.P, India.

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Ranjeeta Singh Deo

M.D (Scholar) final Yr., Rani Dullaiya Smriti P. G. Ayurved College Evam Chikitsalaya, Bhopal, M.P, India.

Article Received on 11/02/2018 Article Revised on 04/03/2018 Article Accepted on 25/03/2018

ABSTRACT
Death particularly the death of humans-has commonly been considered a sad or unpleasant occasion due to the
affection of the being that has died and the termination of social and familial bond with the deceased. Human body
consist approximately 60 trillion cells. The brain contains 20 billion cells and the brain stem contains about 2
billion cells. These may take some time to die.

KEYWORDS: Thanatology, Post mortem interval etc.

INTRODUCTION death and Postmortem interval are given as estimates and

th can vary from hours to days. In most of the cases in
Historically till 19 century, death was defined by the
India, the time of death is estimated from the physical
presence of putrefaction, failure to respond to painful
changes noticeable on the dead body. In this particular
stimuli, or the apparent loss of observable cardio-
article we have discussed the signs of death, PM
respiratory action. The wide spread use of mechanical
appearances and its medico-legal aspects.
ventilators that prevent respiratory arrest has transformed
the course of terminal neurological disorders. Vital
MATERIALS AND METHODS
functions can now be maintained artificially after the
brain has ceased to function. There is a need to diagnose Section-46 of IPC, defines death as “The word death”
brain death with utmost accuracy and urgency because of denotes the death of a human being. It does not define it
an increased awareness amongst the masses for an early .Death is defined as the irreversible cessation of life,
diagnosis of brain death and the requirements of organ insensibility, inability to move and permanent and
retrieval for transplantation. complete stoppage of functions of vital organs of the
body-known as tripod of life: Brain, Heart and Lungs.
Thanatology – is a branch of science that deals in death
in all its aspects. The earliest criterion to declare death was stoppage of
respiration for more than 5 minutes and stoppage of
There are several aspects of estimation of death .Time of circulation for more than 5 minutes. However both the
death seems to be a simple and straight forward term that hypothesis proved to be inadequate to declare death.
obviously means that exact time the victim drew his last
breath. Unfortunately, it is not quite that simple. In suspended animation the faculties of life are at such
1. The physiological time of death- when the victim‟s low level that it is not possible to diagnose it by routine
vital functions actually ceased. examination. Sometimes the vital functions return to
2. The legal time of death-the time recorded on the normal by Cardio-respiratory resuscitation, even after 50
death certificate. minutes. Respiration and circulation can artificially be
3. The estimated time of death-the time the medical maintained on heart lung machine.
examiner estimates that death occurred.
The next criterion to declare death was of brain death,
The time elapsed from the moment of death until the but even that definition became incomplete since the
corpse is examined is known as Post mortem interval heart and the lungs keep working at this stage.
.Both the time of death and Postmortem interval cannot
be determined with 100% accuracy, particularly when Diagnosis of Death
the body is found in advanced stage of decomposition or Routinely: British Code / Harvard Criterion
recovered from fire, water and ice. Therefore time of  Stoppage of respiration

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 Absence of pulse 3-Wounds caused during the supravita period are”

 Absence of heart beat Perimortem wounds” and should be differentiated from
 Fixed dilated pupil ante mortem wounds.
4-However there is no legal sanction to” Beating Heart
Diagnosis of Brain Stem Death Donor” –The cardio-respiratory function maintained by
 Deep coma for at least 6 hrs heart lung machine for a fully oxygenated cadaver
 Absence of any typical posture due to decortications transplant.
or decerebration.
 No epileptic movement Modes of Death
As per Gordan there are 4 modes of death
 Absence of spontaneous respiration, when
1. Anoxic anoxia- due to lack of oxygen.
disconnected from ventilator.
2. Anemic anoxia- due to reduced oxygen carrying
 Fixed dilated pupil.
capacity of the blood.
 No motor response.
3. Stagnant anoxia- due to defective blood circulation.
 Abolition of corneal, gag, vestibule-cephalic, 4. Histotic anoxia- due to defective utilization of
vestibulo-ocular and bronchial stimulation reflexes. oxygen by tissue.
Stages of Death As per Xavier Bichat, a French physician, irrespective of
As per Shapiro, there are two stages what the remote cause of death may be, there are three
1-Somatic death modes of death.
2-Molecular death 1- Coma: Death due to failure of brain function.
2- Syncope: Death due to failure of heart function.
Somatic Death 3- Asphyxia: Death due to failure of lungs function.
It refers to the death of the tissue, system or body and is
Clinical death, as a whole. It coincides with the death of Modes of Death Typical PM findings
the brain stem. Coma: Congestion of brain and meninges, injury to
head, Disease of the brain.
Diagnosis of Somatic Death Syncope: anemia, Excessive hemorrhage, Heart
1. Permanent and complete cessation of function of contracted, chambers empty, Viscera pale.
brain---flat E.E.G Asphyxia: Cyanosis, edema, engorgement of right side
2. Permanent and complete cessation of function of of heart, petechial hemorrhage (Tardieu‟s spot), Viscera
heart---flat E.C.G congested, increased fluidity of blood.
3. Permanent and complete cessation of function of the
lungs---negative Winslow‟s Test, Mirror Test, Signs of Death
Feather Test etc. The changes which occur after death are helpful in
estimation of time of death.
Molecular Death 1. Immediate signs
It is the death of all individual cells within the body .It 2. Early signs
follows 2-3 hrs after somatic death. 3. Late signs
Diagnosis of Molecular Death Immediate Signs: the earliest signs of death
1-Muscle does not respond to strong stimuli.
 Stoppage of function of nervous system
2-Pupil does not respond to stimuli and drug.
 Insensibility and loss of both sensory and motor
3-It is associated with early and late sign of death.
function.
 Loss of reflexes, no response and no tonicity of the
Medico-Legal Aspect of Stages of Death
muscles.
From legal aspect
1-A person is dead when somatic death has occurred  Pupils are dilated.
hence a death certificate can be issued for the disposal of  Complete stoppage of respiration.
the body.  Complete stoppage of heart beat.
2-The organs for transplantation must be removed from
the deceased before the onset of molecular death. Early Signs: appears after 3-24 hrs of death
(Supravita period) 1. Skin: becomes ashy white, pale ,loses elasticity, lips
 Liver-within 15 mins are dry, brownish and hard due to drying
 Kidney-within 45 mins 2. Eye: loss of corneal reflex, corneal opacity,
flaccidity of the eye ball, segmentation of the retinal
 Heart-within 1 hr
blood columns.
 Cornea-within 3 hrs
3. Cooling of the body: Algor mortis
4. Post mortem lividity: livor mortis
5. Rigor mortis.

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Algor Mortis Late Signs: Manifests after 24 hrs after death

The body starts cooling after 1-2 hrs after death and It involves
attains atmospheric temperature in 12-15 hrs. while 1-Decomposition or Putrefaction
internal body parts take 18-24 hrs to cool. 2- Adipocere or Saponification
3- Mummification.
Postmortem Lividity
Due to gravitational force the blood flow to the Decomposition or Putrefaction
dependent parts of the body, causing stagnation of blood It is a process by which complex organic body tissue
in the toneless, dilated capillaries resulting in bluish break down into simpler inorganic compounds or
purple staining. elements due to the action of saprophytic micro-
organisms.
Time Required
It starts appearing after 1 hr of death as small coloured Essential Requirements for Decomposition
patches. After 6 hrs it becomes fixed. a. Warmth d. Cloth
b. Air e. Surface injury
Rigor Mortis: It is the changes the muscles under go c. Moisture f. Manner of burial
after death. It is defined as contraction, stiffening,
shortening and opacity of the muscles after death. Time Taken Decomposition
1-10-20 days: black putrefaction occurs which is when
Sequence (fig-1) noxious odour is released from the body parts
1. Primary relaxation or flaccidity. undergoing a black discoloration.
2. Rigor mortis or Cadaveric rigidity. 2- 2 weeks: abdomen is bloated, the internal gas pressure
3. Secondary relaxation. is maximum.
3- 3 weeks: tissues have softened, organs and cavities are
bursting.

Casper’s Dictum
It gives the rate at which a dead body decomposes. The
rate of decomposition in soil water air is equivalent to
1:2:8.”According to an old rule of thumb (Casper‟s
dictum) one week of putrefaction in air is equal to two
weeks in water and eight weeks burried in soil, given
same environmental temperature.
Fig.-1.
Medico-Legal Importance
1- It is the surest sign of death.
Cadaveric Spasm
2- Can help in establishing time of death.
It is a condition where in a group of muscles, which were
3-Cause of death may remain unknown in advance stage
in contraction or spasm at the time of death, continue to
of putrefaction.
be in spasm even after death.

Mouth cavity Tongue swollen and protruded 24-48 hrs

Teeth becomes loose 3-5 days
Pink teeth due to cephalic congestion from a head down 1-2 weeks
position and moist environment
Face become „fish mouth‟ like appearance 48-72 hrs
Skin Hair and nail becomes loose 48-72 hrs
Skin of hand and feet may come off in a‟glove and 3-5 days
stocking‟manner
Eyes Become soft and collapsed 12-24 hrs
Cornea become white and flattened 12-24 hrs
Eye protrudes 48-72 hrs
Genitals Prolapse of uterus(PM delivery of fetus may take place 48-72 hrs
Abdomen Putrefaction stains on abdominal skin (green in colour) 12-18 hrs
Abdominal gases become flammable On 2 nd and 4th day
Abdomen bursts open 5-10 days
Liquefaction 5-10 days
Cartilage and Ligaments Become soft 5-10 days
Soft firm tissues change to thick 5-10 days
Liver Soft and flabby 12-24 hrs

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Blisters appears on its surface 24-36 hrs

Brain Soft, discoloured,pinkish grey within 72 hrs
Skull sutures seperates 3-5 days
Liquefies 5-10 days

Adipocere Formation or Saponification

It is formed by the anaerobic bacteria, hydrolysis of fat in
tissue, such as body fat in corpses. It occurs most often in
women or obese adult and children. Fat is transformed to
fatty acids by the process of hydrogenation.(fig-2)

Essential Requirement for Adipocere Formation

1-Absence of air 2-Excess of moisture 3-Warmth

Time Required for Adipocere Formation

It takes 5-15 days in our country for adipocere formation.

Mummification

Medico-Legal Importance
1. It is the surest sign of death.
2. A rough estimate of the time of death can be made.
3. Well preserved natural appearances and features of
the body helps in identification of the body.
4. The cause of death can be determined from the
injuries.
5. The place of disposal of the body can be made.

CONCLUSION
The determination of time of death is of crucial
Fig.-2. importance for Forensic Investigators, both in civil and
criminal cases especially when they are gathering
Medico-Legal Importance evidence that can support or deny the stated actions of
1-Body appearances, features are retained which helps in suspects in a crime.
establishing identity of the body.
2-All injuries are well preserved which helps in assessing The time of death is not confined to criminal
the various causes of death. investigation; it can also come into play in civil
3-It can help in establishing the time and place of death. situations. Insurance payments may depend upon
whether the insured individual was alive at the time the
Mummification policy went into effect or if he died before the policy
It is the rapid dehydration and shriveling of the dead expired Likewise property inheritance can hinge on when
body from evaporation of water, with preservation of the deceased actually died.
natural appearances and features of the body.
Determining the time of death is both an Art and Science
Essential Requirements for Mummifiction and requires that the medical examiner use several
1. Absence of moisture techniques and observations to make his estimate.
2. Excess of air Unfortunately the changes the body undergoes after
3. Warmth death occurs is widely variable ways and with
unpredictable time frames. There is no single factor that
Time Required for Mummification will accurately indicate the time of Physiological death,
The time required for complete mummification of a body thus it is always a “BEST GUESS”.
varies greatly from 3-12 months or longer.
REFERENCES
1. Review of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 3rd
edition, Gautam Biswas, The Health Sciences
Publisher.
2. Text book of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology,
Anil Aggrawal, Avinchal Publishing Company.

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3. Text book of Forensic Medicine (Medical

Jurisprudence and Toxicology)-Second edition, Ajay
Kumar, Avinchal Publishing Company.
4. Parikh‟s Text book of Medical Jurisprudence,
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Subrahmanyam, CBS Publishers and Distributors
Pvt Ltd.
5. Singhal‟s Forensic Medicine and Jurisprudence,
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8. www.sciencedirect.com.
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11. www.truthaboutdeath.com.
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13. www.exploreforensics.co.uk.
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15. healthland.time.com.

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