If during external examination, a body shows bruises but livor mortis staining is inconsistent with those bruise locations, this suggests what possibility?
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Correct answer: Body was moved after death
If the distribution of lividity does not match the bruises or body position, it can indicate the body was repositioned after death — a red flag in forensic examination.
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More Autopsy and Gross Pathology questions
- What does a “limited autopsy” refer to?
- Which of the following is TRUE regarding gross pathology (grossing) in surgical specimens?
- Which postmortem change is expected first after death under normal environmental conditions?
- Which stage of decomposition involves bacterial putrefaction, bloating, skin discoloration and tissue breakdown visible grossly?
- Which term refers to a non-invasive alternative to traditional autopsy that uses imaging techniques instead of dissection?
- Why is organ weighing part of a full autopsy gross examination?