One of the methods to determine the time of death is the investigation of rigor mortis. It is the stiffening of muscles that is caused by the depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The absence of oxygen supply reduces the production of ATP and initiates rigor mortis. It first appears on smaller muscles of the face and then moves to bigger parts, such as upper limbs and lower limbs. Considering the state of the body, it is possible to determine the time of death using the progression of rigor mortis, which usually takes 36 hours after death and disappears.
The method’s accuracy depends on the time when the body is discovered, the temperature, and the environment. To attain better results, it should be supported by other approaches such as biochemical assessment to avoid mistakes and acquire the correct understanding of the crime.
Looking back on the course, I should say that all topics were interesting and vital for our future careers. However, for me, the crime scene investigation is my favorite one because of several reasons. First, it demands high levels of attention and knowledge to ensure that all pieces of evidence are considered and collected. Moreover, it creates the basis for further processes, meaning that mistakes at these stages can deteriorate results and help a criminal to avoid punishment. At the same time, crime scene investigation demands a specialist o use inductive and deductive reasoning to restore the course of actions and fill all gaps in knowledge using things, objects, and other factors known about the crime. It is always a creative and responsible process requiring focus and cooperation. For this reason, for me, this topic is the most interesting and attractive one.