The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Jane Doe's corpse appeared unnaturally fresh because her body was being preserved by a supernatural force. During the autopsy, Tommy notes that her blood was flowing like that of a fresh corpse, contradicting the fact that she had been dead for several days. This unnatural preservation was later revealed to be connected to the witch's powerful spirit keeping her body intact.

• jane doe body
• fresh corpse
• autopsy
• supernatural preservation

Jane Doe's wrist and ankle bones were shattered from being tied up and restrained, likely during her torture and murder. The external examination revealed shattered bones without any visible injuries to the skin, indicating she was bound tightly with something that crushed her bones over time while leaving the skin unmarked.

• shattered bones
• wrist
• ankle
• torture
• restraints

Jimsonweed is a plant containing tropane alkaloids that act as a paralytic agent. Its presence in Jane Doe's stomach indicated she was drugged and before paralyzed her death, explaining why she could not move or cry out during whatever was done to her. The plant is predominantly found in northern regions, providing a geographic clue.

• jimsonweed
• paralytic
• drugged
• poison
• stomach

The symbols found on Jane Doe's body and inside her abdomen (including Roman numerals, letters, and a drawing wrapped in cloth with a missing tooth) were witchcraft markings. These were connected to occult rituals and suggested she was a victim of - or possibly connected to - supernatural practices. The discovery pointed toward the Salem witch trials era.

• symbols
• witchcraft
• markings
• roman numerals
• occult

When Tommy opened Jane Doe's skull, they discovered her brain tissue was inexplicably active - a physiological impossibility for a deceased person. This revealed that a formidable supernatural force was preserving her body and keeping her brain functioning, essentially keeping her in a state between life and death.

• brain
• active
• alive
• supernatural
• consciousness

During the supernatural events at the morgue, the lights exploded and threw the autopsy room into darkness. When Tommy and Austin investigated, they found the storage chambers empty - the other corpses had vanished. This was part of the escalating paranormal activity orchestrated by Jane Doe's spirit, which was gaining power and manifesting the dead.

• corpses
• disappear
• storage
• morgue
• paranormal

Austin accidentally killed Emma when he struck her with an axe while trying to defend himself and his father from a pursuing figure in the darkness. In the chaotic, smoke-filled autopsy room with the door jammed, Austin swung the axe blindly and struck Emma as she entered, mistaking her for one of the living corpses. This tragic accident was a result of the supernatural chaos consuming the morgue.

• emma
• austin
• killed
• axe
• accident
• death

Tommy sacrificed himself to the witch to protect Austin. When Jane Doe's spirit began attacking them, Tommy realized she wanted him specifically. He offered himself to her, and she transferred her injuries to him - as her body mysteriously began to heal, Tommy sustained the same brutal injuries she had suffered. This allowed Austin to escape temporarily.

• tommy
• sacrifice
• father
• witch
• protect
• austin

Jane Doe does not die at the end. In the final scene, as her body is being transported to another county, her toe twitches and the bell on her ankle rings - indicating she is still alive or her spirit remains active. The evil force within her was not destroyed, and her torment may continue.

• jane doe
• alive
• ending
• toe
• twitch
• bell

The bell tied to Jane Doe's ankle serves as both a plot device and symbolic element. Historically, bells were used to detect if someone was in a coma rather than truly dead. In the film, the bell becomes ominous when it tolls during the supernatural events, signaling movement of the living corpses. At the end, its faint ringing suggests Jane Doe may still be alive.

Foreshadowing: Emma notices the bell on a corpse's ankle when she arrives at the morgue, establishing its significance early.

• bell
• ankle
• coma
• alive
• death
• sound

The police officer concluded there were no signs of forced entry at the house where Jane Doe's body was found, suggesting the victims inside were trying to flee the residence rather than someone breaking in. This implied the danger came from within - possibly Jane Doe herself or a supernatural force that the residents could not escape.

• forced entry
• house
• murder
• police
• escape

Leviticus 20:27 is a Bible verse that commands execution of witches. When this verse appeared in the patterns discovered on Jane Doe's body, Austin concluded she must have been a witch from the Salem trials. Tommy countered that the accused women were victims of mass hysteria, but the supernatural events suggested whatever was done to Jane Doe may have transformed her into a vengeful spirit.

• leviticus
• bible
• witchcraft
• salem
• verse