NCJ Number
246598
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 59 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2014 Pages: 404-412
Date Published
March 2014
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Minimum postmortem interval mPMI can be estimated with preceding mean ambient temperature models that predict carrion taxon pre-appearance interval.
Abstract
Minimum postmortem interval mPMI can be estimated with preceding mean ambient temperature models that predict carrion taxon pre-appearance interval. But accuracy has not been compared with using summary statistics mean +/- SD of taxon arrival/departure day, range, 95% CI. This study collected succession data from ten experimental and five control infrequently sampled pig carcasses over two summers n = 2 experimental, n = 1 control per placement date. Linear and exponential preceding mean ambient temperature models for appearance and departure times were constructed for 17 taxa/developmental stages. There was minimal difference in linear or exponential model success, although arrival models were more often significant: 65% of linear arrival r2 = 0.09-0.79 and exponential arrival models r2 = 0.05-81.0 were significant, and 35% of linear departure r2 = 0.0-0.71 and exponential departure models r2 = 0.0-0.72 were significant. Performance of models and summary statistics for estimating mPMI was compared in two forensic cases. Only summary statistics produced accurate mPMI estimates. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.