Final answer:
Rigor mortis is the postmortem parameter that typically becomes fixed by 8 hours after death and is used in forensic medicine to help estimate the time of death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The postmortem parameter that typically becomes fixed by 8 hours after death is rigor mortis, which refers to the stiffening of the muscles due to biochemical changes that occur in the body post-death. This process begins within 2-6 hours after death, usually starting at the head and neck and moving down to the lower limbs, and is fully developed by approximately 8-12 hours, depending on a variety of factors such as the environment and the individual's muscle mass. It is an important consideration in forensic medicine and pathology as it can help estimate the time of death.