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ESTIMATION OF THE TIME OF DEATH. Tino Klancir Mentor: A. Žmegač Horvat. Signs used to estimate time of death. Body stiffness ( Rigor mortis) Hypostasis ( Livor mortis ) Fall in body temperature (algor mortis). BODY STIFFNESS. Moment of death Primary flaccidity
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ESTIMATION OF THE TIME OF DEATH Tino Klancir Mentor: A. Žmegač Horvat
Signs used to estimate time of death • Body stiffness (Rigor mortis) • Hypostasis (Livor mortis) • Fall in body temperature (algor 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
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)
BODY TEMPERATURE • Rectal • Liver Henssge’s Nomogram
Corrective factors for body weight • Dry clothing/covering • In air • Wet clothing/covering wet body surface • In air/water • http://www.swisswuff.ch/calculators/tmob.php
Some other methods • Vitreous humor potassium level • Changes in enzyme and electrolytes elsewhere in the body • Examination of gastric contents • Forensic entomologist
Literature: • Richard Shepherd, Simpson’s Forensic Medicine • Mladen Belicza, Obdukcijska dijagnostika • http://www.deathreference.com