A body is found outdoors in summer in India. Rigor mortis is completely absent in all muscle groups. The most likely postmortem interval is:

• A More than 48–72 hours after death ✓
• B Less than 3 hours after death
• C 6–12 hours after death
• D 12–24 hours after death

Explanation

Rigor mortis typically appears within 1–6 hours, reaches full intensity by 12 hours, and passes off (resolves completely) by 36–48 hours under average environmental conditions. In hot tropical conditions this entire cycle is accelerated, so complete absence of rigor in summer indicates the body is beyond the stage of resolution, placing the postmortem interval at more than 48–72 hours. Primary relaxation (absence in the first few hours) must be differentiated by other PM changes such as decomposition odour and discoloration.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.