SLRC CLE Forensic Science Reviewer: Rigor Mortis
Prepare for the Criminologist Licensure Examination (CLE) with this Forensic Science practice question from St. Louis Review Center (SLRC). Review the answer, understand the rationale, and remember the important scientific qualification.
Practice Question
In the Philippines, which is generally a warm country, rigor mortis starts to occur how many hours after death?
- 48 hours
- 12 hours
- 24 hours
- 36 hours
Answer
Likely intended answer: B. 12 hours.
Rationale
Rigor mortis is the stiffening of the muscles that occurs after death. It develops as biochemical changes take place in muscle tissue, including depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is necessary for normal muscle relaxation.
Among the choices provided, 12 hours is likely the answer expected by the question. However, rigor mortis does not begin at one fixed time for every body. It may start within approximately one to four hours after death, and its progression can be affected by temperature, physical activity before death, body condition, and other circumstances.
Important Forensic Science Reminder
In a warm environment such as the Philippines, temperature may accelerate postmortem changes. Nevertheless, rigor mortis alone cannot determine the exact time of death. Investigators and forensic specialists consider several findings together, including body temperature, livor mortis, decomposition, scene information, and other relevant evidence.
Quick Memory Aid
Rigor mortis = postmortem muscle stiffening. For this multiple-choice question, remember the likely intended answer of 12 hours, but do not treat it as a universal scientific timeline.
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Educational note: This practice item reflects the likely intended answer among the supplied options. The onset and progression of rigor mortis vary, so consult authoritative forensic references for scientific and investigative applications.