Postmortem bloating of a body

Postmortem bloating of body may create a misleading picture of obesity. Bloody decomposition fluid oozing from mouth and nos­trils may be misinterpreted as antemortem bleeding due to trauma. Diffusion of hemolysed blood into tissues in areas of livor may be difficult to distinguish from genuine bruis­ing in decomposed bodies. Fissures or splits formed in the skin due to decomposi­tion may simulate lacerated or incised wound. Postmortem dilatations and flaccidity of vagina or anus may produce the appearance of sexual assault.