Table of Contents

Causes of Sudden Death

After conducting the Postmortem, the veterinarian discloses the opinion regarding the causes of sudden death based on observations made by him during Postmortem.

Postmortem Report for Causes of Sudden Death

Report should be concise but with complete opinion.
Forward as soon as possible to the investigating officer.
A word ‘Probably’ should not be used as it creates bad impression in the mind of Judge for being unable to come to a definite conclusion.

Examination of Decomposed Animal

Same lines of examination as in fresh autopsies.
Should be complete.
Precaution to be taken by veterinarian to protect himself from septic poisoning.
External fetal injuries to be searched for cause of death.
Skin and epidermis has pealed off, under lying tissues to be examined.
Body thoroughly examined for presence of foreign body such as bullet, piece of weapon, wire, woodetc.
Bone fracture to be examined.

Examination of Mutilated Carcass

Mutilation of dead animals- Criminal Act.
Done to destroy mark of identification.
Identify the species, sex, age and colour marks etc.
Time since death.
Cause of death.
Microscopic examination of blood, blood grouping, hair.
Precipitation test for species identification.

Rigor Mortis

Sets in 2-3 hours after death in hot climates
Relaxation occurs after 12 hrs
Duration doubled in cases of winter climate.
Delayed in well fed, well rested animal.
Quick setting in death due to heat stroke, racing animals, high environment temperature, weak emaciated animal due to tetanus.

1^st stage: Acidic muscles (relaxation with Contractibility)
2^nd stage: Complete rigidity
3^rd stage: Alkaline (Flaccidity with contractibility)

Setting of Rigor mortis

From head, forelimbs (quarter) and hind limbs (quarter) and tail.

Cooling of Body

1^st 3°F raise: during contraction after death
After 2-24 hrs cooling occurs, except in frost bite.
Rate of cooling: is 1°C per 2.5 hrs. i.e., 3.5°F per hr for 1^st 6 hrs.
1.5°F to 2.0°F/hr after 6 hrs.
Hours since death = (Normal Temp – rectal temp)/ Rate of cooling / Hr (Multiplying rectal temperature with 1.31).

Hypostatic Congestion

Hypostatic Congestion having following characters:

Epidermal in situation.
Seen in dependent parts.
Uniform in colour.
It gives the position of the carcass to which side the animal was lying before death.
It starts ½ to 1 hour after death, marked in 6-8 hrs.
Fixed after 12 hrs.
Cherry or pink colour: CO or HCN poisoning. Dark brown: Phosphorus poisoing.
Putrified carcass: pseudomelanosis.

Putrification

Last stage of the resolution of the body.
It is absolute and sure sign of death.
Begins after 6-36 hrs.
Due to aerobic and anaerobic bacteria present in body.
Clostridium welchii: Proteolytic, sacchrolytic and lipolytic enzyme.
Lecithinase – RBC (dissolves RBC) – PM Haemolysis
Quick putrification occurs in:
- Increase temperature
- Air/ Moisture.
- Young animal.
- Fatty animal.
- Due to poisoning, arsenic etc.
- Summer months.

Order of Putrefaction

Stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, brain, heart, lungs, kidney, diaphragm, blood vessels, and uterus.

Assessing of timings of death

Colour changes:
- After 6-12 hrs in summer.
- 1.3 days in winter.
- Green colour seen on the skin on iliac region face, front of neck and spreads all over abdomen by 12-18 hrs.
Softening of parenchyma tissue:
- Liquefaction of eye ball 6-12 hrs.
Foul smell: 24-48 hrs after death.
Formation of blisters: 36-72 hrs.
Softening of soft parts: 3-5 days.
Appearance of maggots: 3-6 days.
Time lapsed between death and PM
- Loosening of the epithelium in omasum within few hour after death.
- At death, the heart is in diastole i.e., left ventricle almost empty and right ventricle about half full with in first hour of death.
Cornea of eye: initially glistening, pupils dilated. Later opaque films of dried secretions and pupil constricted.
Little blood tinged frothy exudates from nostrils shortly after death.
Warm body: shortly after death.
Cold and stiff: long period has elapsed since death a some time.