Blood value question?

Question

Do the blood values change from time of death til autopsy if autopsy is performed within 24 hours?? If so by about how much??

Answer 1

possibly

Answer 2

Unless the corpse is lacerated, there will be no change in blood volume.

Answer 3

Blood counts generally will remain the same, although there will be some amount of clotting.  Also, many chemistries will change.  The blood will become hypoxic and more acidic as the tissues use up oxygen and produce more lactic acid.  The potassium inside the cells will leak out as the cells no longer have enough energy to keep it inside.

The speed of this process depends on many conditions, such as temperature and cause of death, and less so humidity.

Answer 4

no