What is a Postmortem Stain?

A Postmortem Stain is characterized by a color change that occurs when heme, a component of hemoglobin, seeps into body tissues after death. This process typically happens due to the breakdown of blood vessels and tissues following the cessation of blood circulation. As the body undergoes decomposition, heme can diffuse into surrounding tissues, resulting in the noticeable coloration. This staining can provide important information in forensic investigations about the time since death and the positioning of the body.

The other choices do not adequately define postmortem stains. For example, while embalming chemicals can indeed result in stains, this is not what a postmortem stain refers to. External trauma may cause bruising, but this is distinct from postmortem changes. Likewise, the natural color changes from decomposition are broad and involve various factors; postmortem stains specifically refer to the effects of heme dispersal in tissues.