Death marks (livores) – one of the sure signs of death

In the event of a sudden death, it is important for criminal investigators to determine as quickly as possible whether the death was natural or a violent crime. One of the most reliable indications of this are so-called death marks, also known as livores. These red or blue-purple spots are formed after the death of the body due to the seepage of blood into the deep veins.

But how exactly can death marks be determined and what can they reveal about the time of death?? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this important forensic clue.

We will also look into the formation of livores and find out what factors influence their expression. In addition, we will look at how death marks can be distinguished from other types of skin discoloration and what other signs of death there are.

If you want to learn more about the exciting topic of forensic medicine, read on!

What are dead spots?

Death marks or livores are one of the sure signs of death and appear after the death of a person. It is the accumulation of blood in the vessels that flow by gravity to deeper regions of the body. This causes dark red spots on the skin that become visible a few hours after death.

The exact origin of death marks is not yet fully understood. However, it is believed that they are caused by the collapse of blood circulation and the lack of pressure of cardiac activity on the vessels.

The location of deathmarks can provide important clues about the position of the corpse after death. Because they are formed by gravity, they preferentially appear on the lower regions of the body when the body is in that position after death.

Observation of livor mortis is one of the most important tasks in determining the time of death. The changes in the stains over time can be used to draw conclusions about the time of death.

What are death marks and what information do they give us?

Death marks or liveries are one of the surest signs of a person’s death. This is a bluish-red discoloration of the skin caused by blood pooling in deeper regions of the body as a result of gravity. Depending on how long ago the death occurred, these stains may have developed to different degrees.

Livores give us important information about how long ago the death occurred and what position the body had occupied. For example, the stains can tell if the body has already been moved or if the deceased was still moving after death occurred. It is also possible to draw conclusions about the cause of death based on the color of the stains, as they can differ depending on the type of injury or illness.

However, other factors must also be taken into account when interpreting death marks, such as body temperature, ambient temperature, or possible injuries that may affect blood flow. Therefore, it is important to consider other signs and clues of death when determining the time and cause of death.

Overall, death marks are an important indicator in the investigation of deaths and give us valuable clues about the time of death and possible causes of death. However, they should always be considered and interpreted in the context of other factors.

The examination of death marks

Death marks, also known as livores, are one of the sure signs of death that appear on a corpse. They are caused by gravity, which pulls the blood to the lowest regions of the body after death. This leads to the formation of visible spots on the skin.

The examination of death marks is an important part of forensic medicine. An experienced medical examiner can draw conclusions about the cause of death by studying death marks. Usually, the examination begins with a careful visual inspection of the body. This accurately documents the size, shape and color of the death spots.

Furthermore, the position of the deathmarks on the skin is examined in detail. Generally, livores occur on the lowest regions of the body, such as the legs and buttocks. An exception is death by asphyxiation, in which death marks can also form on the face and neck.

In addition to the visual inspection, a specific palpation of the dead spots can be performed. This involves applying pressure to a death spot with the fingers and then quickly releasing it. In this way, the elasticity of the stain can be estimated, which in turn can provide important information about the time of death.