The heat stiffening of muscles seen in bodies retrieved from a house fire most closely resembles which of the following conditions?

• A Cadaveric spasm
• B Cold stiffening
• C Gas stiffening from putrefaction
• D Rigor mortis ✓

Explanation

Heat stiffening results from coagulation and contraction of muscle proteins at high temperatures; it mimics rigor mortis in that the body is found rigid and immovable. However, unlike rigor mortis, heat stiffening is irreversible and does not pass off over time. Cadaveric spasm (instantaneous stiffening at the moment of death) requires a high degree of neuromuscular activity just before death and is unrelated to thermal injury. Distinguishing heat stiffening from rigor is medico-legally important when estimating time of death in fire victims.

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.