A murder suspect claims the victim was alive until midnight. The doctor examining the body at 6 AM finds postmortem lividity well-fixed and non-shifting on the back of the body. What does this finding indicate?

• A Death occurred within the last 2 hours
• B The body was moved and repositioned within the first 6 hours
• C The body has not been moved after approximately 8–12 hours of death ✓
• D The victim was lying face down at the time of death

Explanation

Postmortem lividity (hypostasis) first appears as shifting/unfixed blotches within 1–2 hours of death; it becomes fixed (non-shifting) after 8–12 hours due to haemolysis and diffusion of haemoglobin into tissues. Non-shifting lividity on the back at 6 AM means the body was not moved for at least 8–12 hours prior, placing death well before midnight and contradicting the suspect's claim. The fixed posterior distribution also confirms a supine position was maintained throughout.

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.