Postmortem lividity (hypostasis) becomes fixed and cannot be shifted to a new dependent area after approximately:

• A 8-12 hours after death ✓
• B 2-4 hours after death
• C 6-8 hours after death
• D 18-24 hours after death

Explanation

Postmortem lividity (livor mortis) begins within 1-2 hours of death and initially shifts if the body is moved (unfixed phase). It becomes fixed and no longer shifts when the body is repositioned at around 8-12 hours after death, due to red cell hemolysis and diffusion of haemoglobin into tissues. Fixed lividity is important for estimating time of death and detecting if the body was moved after death.

Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.