Determining Time of Death - Body Temperature

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  • Created by: Sdarby
  • Created on: 01-11-16 16:06
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  • Determining Time of Death - Body Temperature
    • If a person has a fever or was suffering from hypothermia - body temperature at the time of death would be elevated or depressed
    • Temperature is measured via rectum or abdominal stab
      • Long thermometer or electronic temperature probe is used
      • Ordinary clinical thermometer is too short and its temperature range is too small
    • Cooling of body follows a Sigmoid curve
      • Initial temperature plateau normally last 30-60 minutes
    • Body cools by 1.5° every hour
    • Normal human core body temperature between 36.2°C to 37.6°C
    • Factors that affect post-mortem cooling
      • Body Size
      • Body Position
      • Clothing
      • Air Movement
      • Humidity
      • Temperature of Surroundings
    • If the body is immersed in water it was coll more rapidly - water is a better conductor of heat

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