Post mortem interval

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Post mortem interval (PMI) is the time that has elapsed since a person has died. If the time in question is not known, a number of medical/scientific techniques are used to determine it.

Many types of changes to a body occur after death. Some of those that can be used to determine the post mortem interval are:

• Algor mortis - body cooling;
• Rigor mortis - stiffening of limbs;
• Vitreous humour changes - eye chemistry;
• Entomology - insect activity on the corpse;
• State of decomposition (autolysis and putrefaction).

The Rosicrucian method for caring of the dead requires a "post-mortem interval", or preservation period, of the body (3 1/2 days - 84 hours), for life review purpose (in a pacific death; not in a sudden impact such as: shock, accident, catastrophe, heart attack or suicide), before cremation or any other way of body disposal [1].