[Measurements of rigor mortis on human skeletal muscles in situ (author's transl)].

The torque, necessary to break the rigor mortis of arms and legs at 17 female and 35 male cadavers stored at a temperature of 4 degrees C was determined. The values show differences between male and female cadavers to an extent, that both groups have to be treated separately. Relating the torque to the diameter or the cross section of the limb does not eliminate the differences: Frequently considerable differences between left and right limbs were obtained, however, without preference of one side over the other. There is no direct functional relationship between post mortem time and the intensity of r.m., but the values occasionally allow estimates on the maximum time post mortem.