If a person is exhibiting rigor mortis, what does that indicate?

Rigor mortis indicates that the person is dead. This is a postmortem condition characterized by the stiffening of the muscles due to chemical changes in the body after death. It typically begins a few hours after death and can last for several days as the body continues to undergo changes. The presence of rigor mortis is a significant factor in forensic science, helping investigators determine the approximate time of death.

In contrast, a person in a coma would not show signs of rigor mortis, as they are still alive, although unresponsive. Similarly, individuals who are alive, whether experiencing shock or other medical emergencies, would not display rigor mortis, as it only occurs after biological death has taken place.