title: [Experimental study of restiffening of the rigor mortis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe changes of the length of sarcomere of rat when restiffening.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured the length of sarcomere of quadriceps in 40 rats in different condition by scanning electron microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The length of sarcomere of rigor mortis without destroy is obviously shorter than that of restiffening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The length of sarcomere is negatively correlative to the intensity of rigor mortis. Measuring the length of sarcomere can determine the intensity of rigor mortis and provide evidence for estimation of time since death.
authors.affiliation: West China Forensic Medical College, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Z G
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: X F
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: X M
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012298:Rigor Mortis / Q000473:pathology*; D012518:Sarcomeres / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013997:Time Factors