1. Estimating the time of death An accurate assessment is of great importance to police in narrowing down the list of suspects. – It can allow police to pinpoint the time during which they need to find out what the suspects were doing and allows them to eliminate people who have an alibi for that period from there enquiries.

2. Can estimate time of death from body temperature (algor mortis) insect action (forensic entomology) stomach contents (stage of digestion) last known activity (last sighting, newspaper/mail) normal postmortem changes

3. Can estimate time of death from normal postmortem changes – rigor mortis (Hours) – livor mortis/lividity (Hours) – Desiccation – Putrefaction (days 4-10) – cell autolysis (also called butyric fermentation) (days 10-20) – dry decay (days 20-50)

4. Estimating Body Temperature A healthy human body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F). Upon death, the body temperature begins to fall at a constant rate about 1.5°F every hour until it reaches the ambient temperature,(temperature of the area surrounding the body). – This postmortem cooling of the body is called algor mortis.

5. Estimating Body Temperature The most accurate measurement of core body temperature is taken by inserting a thermometer into the liver. At the death scene, death investigators sometimes measure body temperature rectally. (less reliable but significantly more convenient).

6. Estimating Time of Death Autopsy: medical dissection and examination of a body in order to determine the cause of death

7. Estimating Time of Death Rigor Mortis: medical condition that occurs after death and results in the shortening of muscle tissue and the stiffening of body parts in the position they are in when death occurs. Occurs within 2 hours and gone within 48 hours

8. Estimating Time of Death Livor Mortis or lividity: medical condition that occurs after death and results in the settling of blood in areas of the body closest to the ground. Begins immediately after death and lasts for 12 hours

9. Estimating Time of Death Algor Mortis: postmortem changes that cause a body to lose heat. Process in which the body continues to cool to room temperature. 1 – 1.5 degree/hour

10. Estimating Body Temperature Assuming that the body temperature was normal at the time of death, the following formulas can be used to estimate the time of death within the first 12 hours: Time since death (in hours)= 37°C − Current body temperature OR 0.78 In the first 12 hours: head, arms, and legs cool rapidly. body temperature will drop 9.4°C

11. The following formula would be used if the victim died more than 12 hours before the body was found: If the body temperature is below 27.6°C, then the victim has been dead for more than 12 hours

12. Body temperature Following death, the body begins to cool at a rate which depends on a range of factors. – A naked body will cool faster than a clothed one; – A large adult will cool slower than that of an infant; – A body in a prone spread-eagled position will cool faster than a body slumped in the corner; – A body exposed to air currents will cool faster than one in a protected area.