*Tache noir is one of the important postmortem changes seen in the eye after death.
*If the eyes remain open after death, the areas of the sclera exposed to the air dry out, which results in a first yellowish, then brownish-blackish band like discoloration zone called TACHE NOIRE.
*It is seen mostly after 7 to 8 hours after death. (AP PG 2010 Question).
Very informative. I read the term in a Cornwell novel & wanted to know what it meant.
ReplyDeletei've read that it develops in 3 hr after death
ReplyDeleteI recently examined a female with very distinct bi-lateral tache noire less than 3 hours after her death but after leaving her eyes open in a lighted room, the discoloration appeared to fade to a less distinct band within one hour. At the time of the autopsy two days later the tache noire had disappeared altogether.
ReplyDeleteQuestion to "Anonymous-June 17, 2012":
ReplyDeleteI am curious, why did the bilateral tache noire vanish from the eyes of the female corpse two S/P death [noted at the time of autopsy]?
Does appear regardless, or did it become so pronounced due to her eyes being left open w/ exposure to air/light?
Is the fact that it disappeared something one would not expect to occur?
Thank you!
Rachael
Can tache noire and blood shot eyes be. Mistaken 1hour after death?
ReplyDelete