TY - JOUR
T1 - The occurrence of cadaveric spasm is a myth
AU - Bedford, Paul J
AU - Tsokos, Michael
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Cadaveric spasm relates to the concept of the instantaneous
appearance of rigidity in a deceased body. Articles referring
to this phenomenon are widespread in the literature
with an emphasis on the grasping or gripping of objects
especially relating to gunshot suicide deaths. Other examples
of the presence of objects in the hand are discussed
with a background of drowning, sharp force injuries,
electrocution and injectable drug overdose. Famous
forensic cases such as the Brides in the Bath murders have
relevance as one of the victims apparently retained soap in
their hand. Other stories of unusual positions of the body,
suggestive of instantaneous rigor, are encountered in war
and in the bodies of victims of the Mt Vesuvius eruption in
AD79. Some more recent cases where objects have been
identified in the hand of the deceased will be shown and
discussed.
AB - Cadaveric spasm relates to the concept of the instantaneous
appearance of rigidity in a deceased body. Articles referring
to this phenomenon are widespread in the literature
with an emphasis on the grasping or gripping of objects
especially relating to gunshot suicide deaths. Other examples
of the presence of objects in the hand are discussed
with a background of drowning, sharp force injuries,
electrocution and injectable drug overdose. Famous
forensic cases such as the Brides in the Bath murders have
relevance as one of the victims apparently retained soap in
their hand. Other stories of unusual positions of the body,
suggestive of instantaneous rigor, are encountered in war
and in the bodies of victims of the Mt Vesuvius eruption in
AD79. Some more recent cases where objects have been
identified in the hand of the deceased will be shown and
discussed.
UR - http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs12024-012-9391-5.pdf
U2 - 10.1007/s12024-012-9391-5
DO - 10.1007/s12024-012-9391-5
M3 - Article
SN - 1547-769X
VL - 9
SP - 244
EP - 248
JO - Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology
JF - Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology
IS - 2
ER -