Estimating the time of death
EBM Guidelines
Nov 5, 2021 • Latest change Nov 5, 2021
Table of contents
Extract
- The temperature is measured without moving the body or changing the clothing, see table Actions and observations when estimating the time of death: a checklist.1.
- Environmental temperature is measured close to the place where the rectal temperature is measured.
- The estimated time should be adjusted on the basis of body build, clothing, and the thermal conduction of the surface on which the body lies. The margin of error is ± 2 hours during the first 10 hours after death, and thereafter ± 3–4 hours.
- Depending on the case, it may be necessary to perform several temperature measurements e.g. at 1- and 2-hour intervals.
Search terms
Autopsy, Body Temperature, Cadaver, Cause of Death, Death, Forensic medicine, R98, R99, Rigor Mortis, determining time of death, postmortem lividity, putrefaction