Biochemical changes in the body produce stiffening, the rigor mortis that usually appears within 2 to 6 hours after death. Rigor mortis begins in the muscles of the jaw and neck and proceeds downwards in the body to the trunk and extremities and complete within 6 to 12 hours.

How long after death does rigor mortis occur?

Rigor mortis appears approximately 2 hours after death in the muscles of the face, progresses to the limbs over the next few hours, completing between 6 to 8 hours after death. [10] Rigor mortis then stays for another 12 hours (till 24 hours after death) and then disappears.

What stage does rigor mortis occur?

Rigor Mortis Definition

The body then begins to go through the stages of death, with the third stage being rigor mortis. In this state, the muscles become firm and rigid. It begins in the smallest muscles, like those found in the face, hands and feet, and then continues to the larger limb muscles.