Question

Jon is a death scene investigator. After carefully documenting the scene, Jon begins to assess the decedent for signs of rigor. Where on the decedent's body should Jon begin his assessment?

Answer 1

Jon should start assessing for signs of rigor mortis at the jaw, since facial muscles show rigidity first, and this helps estimate the time of death.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jon, as a death scene investigator, should begin his assessment of rigor mortis by checking the jaw. Rigor mortis, which is the stiffening of the muscles after death, typically starts in the smaller muscle groups. He would first look for signs in the muscles of the face and jaw, which are the first to display signs of rigidity, before proceeding to assess larger muscle groups. It is crucial to note the stage of rigor mortis during investigation as it can provide an estimated time of death. Documentation of the extent and location of rigor can be important evidence when determining the postmortem interval (PMI).