When does rigor mortis typically start after death?

Rigor mortis, which is the stiffening of the muscles after death, typically begins to set in within a few hours post-mortem. The process starts approximately 2 to 6 hours after death, with full rigor establishing around 12 hours later. This physiological change occurs due to biochemical processes within the muscle tissues as ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which keeps the muscles relaxed, diminishes after death.

Recognizing that rigor mortis typically begins at around 5 to 6 hours aligns with the biological understanding of muscle reaction after death. Understanding the timeline of rigor mortis is crucial for forensic investigators as it helps them estimate the time of death, which can be vital in criminal investigations. Insight into the development and timeline of rigor mortis assists law enforcement and medical examiners in piecing together events related to a death, thereby providing significant context during investigations.