Nyla Scott – Time of Death Estimations Worksheet student copy

Question 1/5

What can you conclude about the time of death of a victim found lying face down with lividity present on the dorsal side of the body?

Right Answer

Lividity, or livor mortis, begins within 30 minutes to 2 hours after death and becomes fully fixed between 8-12 hours. Since the lividity is present on the dorsal (back) side while the victim is lying face down, we can infer that the body was moved postmortem. Lividity becomes fixed in the original position after about 4-6 hours. Since it is still present, the victim has been dead for at least 2-4 hours but less than 8 hours.

Question 2/5

What can you conclude about the time of death of a Caucasian female found with lividity present on the ventral side but absent around the chest area and upper thighs?

Right Answer

Lividity begins to develop within 30 minutes to 2 hours after death and is fully fixed by 8-12 hours. The absence of lividity in pressure areas (such as the chest and thighs) suggests that these areas were in contact with a surface, restricting blood pooling. Since lividity is present but not yet fully fixed, this suggests a time of death between 3-5 hours ago. If it were more than 8 hours, lividity would be fully set and not change.

Question 3/5

What can you conclude about the time of death of a victim with lividity present in the lower back, buttocks, and hamstring area of the legs?

Right Answer

Lividity begins forming within 2 hours after death and becomes fully set between 8-12 hours. Since lividity is noticeable but not fully fixed, we estimate the victim has been dead for about 4-6 hours. If the death had occurred within less than an hour, lividity would not be visible yet. If the victim had been dead for more than 12 hours, lividity would be completely fixed and unchangeable.

Question 4/5

What can you conclude about the time of death of a victim with no signs of lividity?

Right Answer

Lividity begins to appear between 30 minutes to 2 hours after death, meaning a lack of lividity suggests death occurred very recently. If the victim had been dead for longer, signs of blood pooling would be evident. Since lividity is not present yet, it is likely that the victim has been dead for less than 2 hours. After 4-6 hours, lividity would be more pronounced.

Question 5/5

How would you describe the time of death of a deer struck by a car?

Right Answer

Trauma from being struck by a car is typically fatal on impact due to severe internal injuries and bleeding. Most animals do not survive for hours after being hit at high speeds, especially if the impact causes organ damage or spinal injuries. While it is theoretically possible for an injured deer to survive briefly, the most likely conclusion is that it died immediately. If it had survived for hours, there would be evidence of movement, struggle, or secondary injuries from attempting to flee.