What Happens After Death

Livor Mortis

The second stage of death. Blood collects in the bottom parts of the body, resulting in a reddish discoloration of the skin. Starts 20 - 30 minutes after death.

Skeletonization

The seventh, and last stage of death. At this part, only the bones are here. The body is fully decomposed and gone

Decomposition

The sixth stage of death. The body starts to decay and be eaten away.

Death

The permanent ending of vital processes in a cell or tissue.

Putrefication

The fifth stage of death. This stage is caused by chemicals slowly breaking down the human body. The time it takes for Putrefication to occur is based on the location, clothing, light exposure, and how the victim died.

Pallor Mortis

The first step after death. After death, the body quickly loses oxygen and blood sees in increase of Carbon Dioxide, causing paleness of the skin. Comes 15 - 20 minutes after death.

Algor Mortis

The fourth stage of death. The body becomes the temperature of the surrounding landscape. The Glaster Equation can be used to tell the time of death: (36.9°C - Current Body Temp. × 6/5) or (98.4°F - Current Body Temp. / 1.5)

Rigor Mortis

The third stage of death. Rigor is Latin for "Stiffness". Rigor Mortis is stiffnes of the muscles as the muscule cells absorb calcium from the bone. The position of the body after rigor mortis can help forensic pathologists determine the time of death. Comes 6 hours after death.