VMD 511: Animal Welfare, Ethics and Jurisprudence (2+0)

ASSESSING OF TIMINGS OF DEATH

• Colour changes:
  • After 6 -12 hrs in summer.
  • 1.3 days in winter.
  • Green colour seen on the skin on iliac region face, front of neck and spreads all over abdomen by 12-18 hrs.
• Softening of parenchyma tissue:
  • Liquefaction of eye ball 6 -12 hrs
• Foul smell: 24 -48 hrs after death.
• Formation of blisters: 36-72 hrs.
• Softening of soft parts: 3-5 days.
• Appearance of maggots: 3-6 days.
• Time lapsed between death and PM
  • Loosening of the epithelium in omasum within few hour after death.
  • At death, the heart is in diastole i.e., left ventricle almost empty and right ventricle about half full with in first hour of death.
• Cornea of eye – initially glistening, pupils dilated. Later opaque films of dried secretions and pupil constricted.
• Little blood tinged frothy exudates from nostrils shortly after death.
• Warm body – shortly after death.
• Cold and stiff – long period has elapsed since death a some time.