Table 5.

Typical cell morphometric findings at different stages of postmortem decomposition.

Stage of decomposition	Cell shape	Cell size	Cell membrane findings	Common artifacts
Antemortem	Intact	No change	Not applicable	Not applicable
Oncotic	Largely intact	Mild to moderate swelling or shrinkage is likely	May have blebbing or compression	Pericellular and perivascular rarefactions; vacuolization
Early necrotic	Largely intact	Some cells, especially astrocytes, are excessively enlarged, while others begin to shrink	Cell membranes may be indistinct, blurry, or partially damaged	Above artifacts, but more widespread and severe; intracellular contents may be seen in extracellular space
Late necrotic	Altered	Cells shrink as they dissolve	Cells are dissolved	Washed out tissue areas devoid of cells