What role does rigor mortis play in determining the time of death?

Rigor mortis serves a significant role in forensic pathology by providing critical information regarding the time of death. Specifically, it is a postmortem change that initiates shortly after death due to biochemical processes in the muscles. This progression of stiffness typically begins within a few hours after death, peaks at approximately 12 to 24 hours, and then gradually dissipates over the next 48 to 72 hours as the body begins to undergo decomposition.

The onset and duration of rigor mortis can assist forensic professionals in making an estimation of the time since death, thereby offering insight into the timeline of events surrounding the individual's passing. This is particularly useful during investigations of suspicious deaths, as the timing can have implications on determining the circumstances under which the death occurred.

In contrast to the other options, rigor mortis is not irrelevant in determining the time of death, does not solely indicate the cause of death, and while it obviously does not give direct insights into body positioning after death, it is primarily valued for its chronological indications regarding the time since the individual was pronounced dead.