| Aetiology | Colour | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Blue-purplish | Venous blood |
| Carbon monoxide | Pink, Cherry-red | Carboxyhaemoglobin |
| Cyanide | Pink, Cherry-red | Excessively oxygenated blood due to inhibition of cytochrome oxidase |
| Fluoroacetate | Pink, Cherry-red | Excessively oxygenated blood due to inhibition of cytochrome oxidase |
| Refrigeration/hypothermia | Pink, Cherry-red | Oxygen retention in cutaneous blood by cold air Left shifting of the haemoglobin oxygen dissociation curve |
| Sodium chloride/nitrite, nitrate | Brown | Methaemoglobin |
| Hydrogen sulphide | Green | Sulphaemoglobin |
MCQs on Postmortem Lividity
1. What is postmortem lividity?
a) The process of blood circulation in a living body.
b) The pooling of blood in the lower part of the body after death.
c) The cooling of the body after death.
d) The stage of decomposition when the body turns blue.
Answer: b) The pooling of blood in the lower part of the body after death.
2. Postmortem lividity is primarily caused by:
a) Bacterial action.
b) Decomposition of the body.
c) The settling of blood in the vessels.
d) Rigor mortis.
Answer: c) The settling of blood in the vessels.
3. In which time frame does postmortem lividity typically become noticeable after death?
a) Immediately upon death.
b) Within the first 30 minutes.
c) 6-8 hours after death.
d) 24-36 hours after death.
Answer: c) 6-8 hours after death.
4. The color of postmortem lividity is commonly described as:
a) Red.
b) Blue.
c) Pale white.
d) Purple or reddish-purple.
Answer: d) Purple or reddish-purple.
5. Postmortem lividity can provide forensic experts with information about:
a) Time of death.
b) Cause of death.
c) Body temperature at the time of death.
d) The presence of drugs in the body.
Answer: a) Time of death.
Read More about Decomposition Here: Click Here
