Consolidated Political Compass Test (CPCT) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CPCT Practice Questions and Assessment Guide

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At what time does rigor mortis typically begin after death?

1-2 hours after death

2-4 hours after death

Rigor mortis typically begins to set in approximately 2 to 4 hours after death. This is a process where the muscles stiffen due to chemical changes in the body. After death, the absence of oxygen leads to a depletion of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is necessary for muscle relaxation. As ATP levels drop, muscles become rigid, starting with smaller muscles and progressing to larger muscle groups.

Understanding the timing of rigor mortis is crucial in forensic science, as it can help determine the time of death. Shortly after death, the body begins to exhibit other signs, such as livor mortis and algor mortis, but rigor mortis specifically manifests within that 2 to 4-hour window. The body may continue to stiffen for up to 12 hours before gradually relaxing again, which is why a span beyond 4 hours would not accurately reflect the onset of rigor mortis.

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4-6 hours after death

12-24 hours after death

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