Which ocular finding is accepted as one of the earliest reliable external signs of death, appearing within about 2 hours?

• A Complete corneal opacity
• B Loss of corneal reflex and dull, hazy cornea ✓
• C Sinking of the eyeball with dilated fixed pupils
• D Segmentation of retinal blood columns

Explanation

Loss of the corneal reflex with a dull, hazy corneal appearance occurs within about 2 hours of death and is among the earliest external signs. Complete corneal opacity takes roughly 10 to 12 hours, sinking of the eyeball occurs later due to loss of intraocular fluid tension, and segmentation of blood columns in the retina (Kaufman's finding) requires fundoscopy and appears later. Intraocular pressure also falls rapidly, becoming unrecordable within about half an hour.

Reference: Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.