NCJ Number
236209
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2011 Pages: 1310-1314
Date Published
September 2011
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study aimed at verification of the significance of airflow present in the room where a corpse is found on body cooling process and hence on determination of the time of death (TOD).
Abstract
Estimation of the time of death (TOD) is a very important task of forensic pathologist, and measurement of body temperature is a method deemed to be most precise during the initial postmortem period. The study aimed at verification of the significance of airflow present in the room where a corpse is found on body cooling process and hence on determination of the TOD. The experiment was performed in pigs during which the postmortem temperature of the eye, muscles, and rectum was recordedin still air and with generated draft in the room. The results showed that the moderate airflow present in the experimental conditions did not significantly affect the course of cooling of the investigated body sites. Despite moderate wind generated in the room, the air movement close to pigs' bodies was actually minimal. This allowed to conclude that to evaluate the TOD most precisely, one should first have reliable data on the actual velocity of air in the direct vicinity of the body rather than relying on subjective sensation of the draft and using various unnecessary corrective coefficients for TOD calculation. (Published Abstract)