Death represents the permanent cessation of all vital functions of the organism. We distinguish two forms of death: apparent (clinical) and real (biological) death.
Apparent (clinical) death is a transient condition in which a person is unconscious for a short time, does not breathe and his heart does not work. Life functions are reduced to a minimum, and timely implementation of resuscitation procedures can restore the vital functions of the organism.
Real (biological) death occurs due to the permanent cessation of all vital functions of the organism. It should be borne in mind that if the accident is in a state of hypothermia (body temperature below 35 ° C), the time of biological death may be delayed, because in these conditions, the processes of irreversible changes in body tissues are largely stopped.
Uncertain signs of death (early changes at the time of death, or over the next few minutes) are:
> loss of consciousness (brain function is interrupted a few seconds after cessation of circulation and respiration);
> muscle laxity (lethal laxity);
> insensitivity to stimuli;
> wide pupils that do not react to light (with an increased amount of light, they should shrink);
> unnatural skin color.
Certain signs of death are:
> Deadly stiffness of skeletal muscles and joints – begins 1-2 hours after death, and after 8-10 hours the muscles become stiff. The braking of the body starts from the top down, first it includes the muscles for chewing, then the muscles of the neck, arms, torso and finally the muscles of the legs. Body braking subsides 24-48 hours after death, in reverse order of onset.
> Muscle laxity – occurs due to the relaxation of skeletal muscles and joints around 1 h after death stiffness, with the deceased having open eyelids and a relaxed lower jaw.
> Deadly cold – cooling of the body (corpse) begins 8 hours after death and is complete after 24 hours.
> Dead spots – occur 30-60 minutes after death, because the blood under the force of the earth does not circulate heavier and flows to the surface of the skin of the lower side of the body. Dead spots are blue or purple, and are initially mobile, ie. if we turn the deceased, they will be poured again into the lowest parts of the body.
> “Fish-cat eyes”, or dry and blurred corneas – a sign that can be determined at the first lifting of the eyelid.
> Dead breath – occurs as a result of putrefaction.
