What happens to rigor mortis in children compared to adults?

The correct answer indicates that rigor mortis develops faster in children compared to adults. This phenomenon can be attributed to several physiological differences between children and adults.

In children, the muscle mass is typically lower and there are variations in metabolic activity that can influence the onset of rigor mortis. Children's bodies tend to have a higher metabolic rate, which can accelerate the biochemical processes that lead to the stiffening of the muscles after death. As rigor mortis is a result of chemical changes in the muscles when respiration ceases, children's muscles may undergo these changes more rapidly than those of adults.

This is important in forensic investigations as the timing of rigor mortis can help determine the time of death, especially in cases involving children. Understanding the differences in how rigor mortis manifests in children versus adults is a critical component of a medicolegal death investigator’s training and practice.