What is cadaveric spasm commonly associated with?

Cadaveric spasm is a phenomenon that occurs when there is an involuntary muscle contraction that happens at or shortly after the time of death, typically affecting the muscles in a manner that reflects the position of the deceased at the time of death. This is distinct from rigor mortis, which is a postmortem rigidity that develops after a few hours.

The sudden muscle contraction that defines cadaveric spasm is often seen in cases of extreme stress or violent death, where the individual may have experienced fear or tension just before dying. This spasm can cause the muscles to remain in a contracted state even postmortem, which is why sometimes bodies are found in a particular position that seems to indicate that the person was in the midst of a violent struggle or intense emotion at the moment of death.

In contrast, other options discuss phenomena that do not directly characterize cadaveric spasm. For example, a delayed reaction due to external stimuli is not applicable, as cadaveric spasm occurs immediately after death rather than in response to subsequent stimuli. Similarly, the progressive loss of motor control does not relate to cadaveric spasm, as this would suggest a gradual weakening rather than sudden contraction. Stiffness occurring shortly after death primarily refers to