ESTIMATION OF THE ESTIMATION OF THE TIME OF DEATHTIME OF DEATH

Tino KlancirTino KlancirMentor: A. Žmegač HorvatMentor: A. Žmegač Horvat

Signs used to estimate Signs used to estimate time of deathtime of death

Body stiffness (Body stiffness (Rigor Rigor mortis)mortis)

Hypostasis (Hypostasis (Livor Livor mortismortis ))

Fall in body Fall in body temperature temperature (algor (algor mortis)mortis)

BODY STIFFNESS

Moment of death

Primary flaccidity

Coagulation of muscle proteins and low ATP

Rigor mortis (after 2-6h)

Secondary flaccidity (after 24-36h)

eyelids, neck, jaw

spreads to other muscles (4-6h)

Onset of rigor mortis depends on:

Temperature Physical work before death Age Muscle build

Rigor mortis

HYPOSTASIS

Heart stops beating

Blood settles in lower parts of the body (30min-1h)

Livor mortis

Unfixed Semifixed Fixed (4-6h) (6-12h) (12….h)

Hypostasis (lividity)

BODY TEMPERATUREBODY TEMPERATURE

RectalRectal Liver Liver

Henssge’s Nomogram

Corrective factors for Corrective factors for body weightbody weight

Dry clothing/coveringDry clothing/covering In airIn air Wet clothing/covering wet body surfaceWet clothing/covering wet body surface In air/waterIn air/water http://www.swisswuff.ch/calculators/tmob.

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Some other methodsSome other methods

Vitreous humor Vitreous humor potassium levelpotassium level

Changes in enzyme Changes in enzyme and electrolytes and electrolytes elsewhere in the elsewhere in the bodybody

Examination of Examination of gastric contentsgastric contents

Forensic Forensic entomologistentomologist

Literature:

Richard Shepherd, Simpson’s Forensic Medicine

Mladen Belicza, Obdukcijska dijagnostika http://www.deathreference.com

Thank you for your attention!!!