Victims body position at the scene of death

Abstract

Bodies always adopt final positions or posture at the time of death. This article describes the different cadaverous positions taking the lying down posture (denominated decubitus kind) as the base of specifics. Among types of cadaverous positions we have: dorsal, ventral or prone, straight lateral, left lateral, frog position, genu pectoral position, sitting position, complete suspension, incomplete suspension, complete submersion, incomplete submersion, positionsubmersion, incomplete submersion, position of roser or proetz, boxer position, asymmetric cervical tonic position, fetal position, depage position. Considering the limbs position we have: arms extension, arms in abduction, arms in flexion, legs in extension, legs in abduction and legs in flexion. In case of murder event, dead body positions help us to determine the probable homicide dynamic, the cadaverous positions give us hints of different trends of the occurrence of the crime, as well as homicide, suicide, or the related events when the individual had already suffered an accident by careless or produced by someone. The body posture at the scene of death is also important to determine if the body was moved of position or from place and the correct forensic interpretations, therefore forensic medic should take part in the removal of the body