Question

An obese man was discovered in his air-conditioned hotel room sitting in a chair in front of the television. The air conditioner was set for 65 degrees Fahrenheit. When the coroner arrived, the man’s body exhibited rigor in his upper body only. estimate how long he has been deceased

Answer 1

Answer:

It has been approximately 6 hours after death.

Explanation:

This is because between 2-6 hours after death, the body starts becoming stiff from top to bottom, then spreading to the limbs. Since there is only rigor in his upper body, that would mean that with normal temperature and body conditions, it would be 4 or 5 hours after death. But since he is obese and in cold temperature, there is slower progression of rigor, leading to the maximum time in the first rigor mortis phase, 6 hours.