Which term describes the dark, red-brown eye stripe after death when the eyelids are not closed, potentially mimicking trauma?

• A. Tardieu Spots
• B. Tache Noire
• C. Trauma
• D. Tissue

Answer: (B)

The sign tested is a postmortem change that happens when the eyes are left open and the surface of the eye dries. Tache noire describes a dark, brownish stain on the exposed conjunctiva and sclera that forms as the ocular surface dehydrates after death. This stripe can resemble trauma, but it’s a normal postmortem artifact rather than an injury. Other options refer to different phenomena (tiny hemorrhages in tissues, general injury, or a non-specific term) and don’t fit this eye-specific drying stain.