Prompt Cast
Understanding Rigor Mortis and Its Role in Determining Time of Death
TLDR Rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles after death, caused by the biochemical process involving calcium ions and the connection of two proteins called myosin and actin. While it is not a precise indicator of time of death, forensic investigators can use other methods such as the development and lifespan of maggots to determine the time of death.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
A woman named Val Thomas woke up after being dead for 17 hours, even after rigor mortis had set in.
03:09
Rigor mortis is the contraction of muscles after death, and it was determined by a French scientist that Jesus could not have been crucified through his palms because they would only hold about a 90 pound body.
06:11
Rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles after death, starting from the head and moving down the body, and it occurs because of a biochemical process involving calcium ions and the connection of two proteins called myosin and actin.
09:31
Rigor mortis occurs because when myosin and actin connect, they create a contraction in the muscles, and in order for the muscles to relax, myosin and actin need to be uncoupled through the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is no longer produced after death, leading to a buildup of calcium ions and muscle contraction.
12:40
Rigor mortis can be affected by physical exertion prior to death, lack of oxygen, cataviric spasms, fat distribution, and age, but it is not a precise indicator of time of death, which is why forensic investigators use other methods to establish this.
15:34
Rigor mortis can be affected by physical exertion prior to death, lack of oxygen, cataviric spasms, fat distribution, and age, but it is not a precise indicator of time of death, which is why forensic investigators use other methods to establish this.
18:24
The hosts discuss how the development and lifespan of maggots can be used to determine the time of death of a body.
Categories:
Society & Culture
