Determining the Time of Death

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  • Determining Time of Death
    • Body temperature
      • Body cools as respiration declines
      • Measured via the rectum/abdominal stab
      • Temperature decline per hour can be used to give an estimate of T o D
    • Rigor mortis
    • Decomposition
      • Average conditions
        • Putrefaction - 36-72 hrs
        • Gas formation - 1 wk
      • Decomposers
        • Bacteria from the gut quickly invade the tissues
        • Bacteria & Fungi from the surroundings
    • Forensic entomology
      • Entomologists record info on...
        • Location of the body
        • Condition of the body
        • Temperature of the: air, ground and body
          • Temperature history established from...
            • Local meteorological records
            • Local weather can be set up at the site:  Temp readings then correlated with the nearest weather station readings
              • More ACCURATE
        • Samples of any insects found, noting exactly where and when they were found
          • F. entomologists use the predictable sequence of organisms that feed on a decomposing body to determine T o D
      • Can be used after finding the body several days after it has been killed
        • E.g. Assess the life cycle stages of insects (fly/beetle)
        • There are different stages of decomposition
          • Detail: production of gases, bloating, discolouration
        • Rate of either insect development/decomposition influenced by external factors
        • Insect and decomposition info is used to determine T o D
    • Age of Maggots

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