American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

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What is the typical time frame for desiccation (drying) of the fingertips to occur post-mortem?

24-36 hours
48-60 hours
60-72 hours
Days to weeks

The correct answer is: 48-60 hours

The typical time frame for desiccation, or drying out, of the fingertips after death is generally recognized to occur within 48 to 60 hours post-mortem. This process is significant as it can provide useful information regarding the time of death and the environmental conditions affecting the body. Desiccation begins once the body ceases metabolic activity and is influenced by factors such as humidity, temperature, and exposure to air. Within the first couple of days, the skin loses moisture, and the fingertips, which are often more sensitive to drying due to their exposure, typically show noticeable changes during this time frame. Observing this characteristic can aid forensic investigators in estimating the post-mortem interval more accurately.