Answer :
Final answer:
The absence of rigor mortis suggests that the boy could have died less than 2 hours ago or more than 36 hours ago. Rigor mortis typically sets in about 2-6 hours after death and dissipates after 36 hours. Thus, the best explanation for this situation is the time frames indicated.
Explanation:
Determining Time of Death (TOD) in Forensic Medicine
The presence or absence of rigor mortis, or stiffening of the body post-death, can provide significant clues regarding Time of Death (TOD). In this case, finding no evidence of rigor in a 13-year-old boy suggests that the body has been dead for a relatively short period.
Rigor mortis typically begins to set in within 2 to 6 hours after death, peaks around 12 hours, and then gradually dissipates in the subsequent days. Given that there were no signs of rigor, the following considerations can be made:
- If the boy has been dead for less than 2 hours, rigor would not have had enough time to develop.
- If he has been dead for at least 12 hours, rigor would have been expected to present.
- Similarly, if he has been dead for greater than 36 hours, rigor would also have dissipated, thus fitting the observation of it being absent.
Therefore, the best explanation for the lack of rigor mortis is that he has been dead for less than 2 hours OR greater than 36 hours.
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