What are some common types of postmortem changes?

The correct choice highlights rigor mortis, livor mortis, and algor mortis as the primary types of postmortem changes. These terms describe specific physiological processes that occur after death and are crucial for understanding the biological and physical state of the body during the postmortem interval.

Rigor mortis refers to the stiffening of the muscles that occurs after death due to biochemical changes in muscle tissue as ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is depleted. This process begins within a few hours after death and can last for several days, depending on various factors such as temperature.

Livor mortis, also known as hypostasis, is the settling of blood in the lower parts of the body due to gravity after the heart stops pumping. This results in discoloration of the skin and can be used to determine the position of the body at the time of death as well as provide information about the time since death.

Algor mortis refers to the cooling of the body after death, which occurs as the body transitions to ambient temperature. The rate of cooling can vary based on environmental conditions and can be used to estimate the time of death.

Understanding these physiological changes is vital for forensic science, as they provide important clues regarding the time of