American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

What type of discoloration is typically seen in the right lower abdomen within 24 hours post-mortem?

1. Red

2. Yellow

3. Greenish

4. Purple

The correct answer is: Greenish

The discoloration that is typically observed in the right lower abdomen within 24 hours post-mortem is greenish. This greenish discoloration occurs as a result of the breakdown of hemoglobin. When the body undergoes autolysis and bacterial decomposition, the blood cells start to lyse, and the iron in hemoglobin reacts with hydrogen sulfide produced by bacteria, leading to the formation of sulfur-containing compounds. This process can result in a greenish tint manifesting primarily in the lower abdomen due to the gravitational effects on blood pooling and tissue decomposition in post-mortem changes. As decomposition progresses, other discolorations like purple or yellow might be seen, but these typically occur later or in different circumstances. Red discoloration may arise in some instances of post-mortem lividity due to the pooling of blood, but the expected greenish discoloration is the primary observation within the specific timeframe indicated in the question. Understanding these processes is crucial for a medicolegal death investigator in determining the timeline and causes of death related to post-mortem changes.