scholarly journals Computationally approximated solution for the equation for Henssge’s time of death estimation

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolf Schweitzer ◽  
Michael J. Thali
Keyword(s):  
Time Frame ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Death Scene ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Upper Limits ◽  
Double Exponential ◽  
Device Applications ◽  
Body Cooling ◽  
Difference Term

Abstract Background Time of death estimation in humans for the benefit of forensic medicine has been successfully approached by Henssge, who modelled body cooling based on measurements of Marshall and Hoare. Thereby, body and ambient temperatures are measured at the death scene to estimate a time of death based on a number of assumptions, such as initial body temperature and stable ambient temperature. While so far, practical use of the method resorted to paper print outs or copies of a nomogram using a ruler, increasingly, users are interested in computer or mobile device applications. We developed a computational solution that has been available online as a web accessible PHP program since 2005. From that, we have received numerous requests not so much to detail our code but to explain how to efficiently approximate the solution to the Henssge equation. Methods To solve Henssge’s double exponential equation that models physical cooling of a body, it is sufficient to determine a difference term of the equation that will be close to zero for the correct time of death using a discrete set of all sensible possible solutions given that the modelled time frame has practical upper limits. Best post-mortem interval approximation yields minimal difference between equation terms Results The solution is approximated by solving the equation term difference for a discrete set of all possible time of death intervals that are sensibly found, and by then determining the particular time of death where equation term difference is minimal. Conclusions The advantage of a computational model over the nomogram is that the user is also able to model hypothermia and hyperthermia. While mathematically impossible to solve in a straightforward way, solutions to the Henssge equation can be approximated computationally.

scholarly journals Diurnal Body Temperature and Rate of Passage of Loggers in Lions

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1388
Author(s):  
Ted Friend ◽  
Giulia Corsini ◽  
Vincent Manero ◽  
Raffaella Cocco
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Heat Lamp ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Diurnal Patterns ◽  
Data Loggers ◽  
The Mean ◽  
African Lions ◽  
Circadian Patterns

The documentation of diurnal patterns in body temperature in lions could be important because disruption of circadian patterns can be a useful measure of distress. This study quantified changes in body temperature of seven African lions (Panthera leo) at 5 min intervals during cold conditions from noon until the ingested body temperature loggers were expelled the next day. Thirteen loggers were fed to 11 lions during their daily noon feeding, while ambient temperatures were also recorded using six data loggers. The lions had continuous access to their dens and exercise pens during the day but were restricted to their heavily bedded dens that also contained a heat lamp from 23:00 until 08:00 the next day. Body temperatures averaged 37.95 ± 0.42 °C at 15:50, and 36.81 ± 0.17 °C at 06:50 the next day, 30 min before the first loggers passed from a lion, and were significantly different (t-test, t = 8.09, df = 6, p < 0.0003). The mean duration for the time of passage was 22 ± 2.69 (h ± SD), so future studies using the noninvasive feeding of temperature loggers need to consider that time frame.

Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage Presenting as Sudden Death in Outpatients

2002 ◽  
Vol 126 (10) ◽  
pp. 1197-1200 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Tsokos ◽  
E. E. Türk
Keyword(s):  
Sudden Death ◽  
Esophageal Varices ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Variceal Hemorrhage ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Esophageal Variceal ◽  
Death Scene ◽  
Medicolegal Autopsy ◽  
Blood Alcohol Levels

Abstract Context.—Some autopsy studies have dealt with histologic features of esophageal varices after different therapeutic procedures. However, to the best of our knowledge, no reports have been published describing outpatient characteristics that are associated with fatal esophageal variceal hemorrhage in a medicolegal autopsy population. Objectives.—To (1) assess the incidence of sudden deaths from esophageal variceal hemorrhage in an unselected medicolegal autopsy population and (2) determine demographics of outpatients dying from esophageal variceal hemorrhage with special reference to blood alcohol concentrations at the time of death. Design.—We performed a retrospective study of all autopsy cases of sudden death from esophageal variceal hemorrhage from a total of 6038 medicolegal autopsies performed over a 5-year period (1997–2001). We analyzed individual cases to determine gender, age, location and histology of bleeding esophageal varices, pathogenic mechanism for esophageal varices, concomitant underlying diseases contributing to fatal outcome, body mass index, circumstances at the death scene, and blood alcohol levels at the time of death. We reviewed the results of toxicologic analyses of alcohol concentrations in samples of femoral venous blood and urine obtained at autopsy; concentrations had been determined by gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy and enzymatic assays. Results.—We identified 45 cases of fatal esophageal variceal hemorrhage that occurred out of hospital and presented as sudden death; the corresponding 5-year incidence in this autopsy population was 0.75%. All of the deceased were white; the male-female ratio was 1.6:1, and the mean age was 50.6 years. Ruptured esophageal varices were located in the lower third of the esophagus in 44 cases. Cirrhosis of the liver was present in all cases (alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver in 42 cases), and a hepatocellular carcinoma was present in 3 cases. Alcohol-induced pancreatic tissue alterations were frequently found. The results of toxicologic analysis were positive for alcohol in femoral venous blood and urine in 30 cases. Blood alcohol levels at the time of death were less than 100 mg/dL (21.7 mmol/L) in 15 cases, between 100 and 200 mg/dL (21.7 and 43.4 mmol/L) in 8 cases, and greater than 200 mg/dL (43.4 mmol/L) in the remaining 7 cases. Conclusions.—Apart from abnormalities in coagulation due to poor liver function in long-term alcohol users, acute alcohol intake may represent an important factor influencing mortality in individuals with esophageal variceal hemorrhage. Acute alcohol intake has transient effects on blood clotting time caused by ethanol and its main metabolites. In the present study, bloodstains at the death scene and unusual body positions of the deceased that aroused suspicion of a violent death were leading reasons for conducting a medicolegal autopsy. Apart from aspects of forensic pathology, the demographics of our study population are also noteworthy from the viewpoint of social medicine. The data we present stress the importance of fatal esophageal variceal hemorrhage as a relevant cause of sudden death occurring outside the hospital in socially isolated, alcohol-addicted individuals.

A Review of the Literature as to the Present Possibilities and Limitations in Estimating the Time of Death

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Van Den Oever
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
Large Error ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Biochemical Tests ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Suitable Combination ◽  
Exact Moment ◽  
The Individual

Determining the exact moment of death in medicolegal cases is not possible since post-mortem changes of the human body are variable and often misjudged. The most reliable physical and biochemical methods of estimating the post-mortem interval are reviewed and the author tries to find out why, in spite of all the previous studies, which have often given good results, the individual methods are neither popular nor practical in routine forensic medicine cases. For greater accuracy in estimating the time of death further investigation should be carried out to find a suitable combination of some physical and biochemical tests complementary to the data produced by each method and preventing the rather large error range of each individual test.

The Effect of the Post-Mortem Interval on the Level of Creatine in Vitreous Humour

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Piette
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Vitreous Humour ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Legal Practice ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Satisfactory Correlation

By means of 103 medico-legal autopsies it was established that a rise in the creatine level occurs in the vitreous humour after death. In view of the satisfactory correlation between the post-mortem interval and the creatine level in the vitreous humour (r = 0.84, p < 0.001) investigations were undertaken as to whether the creatine level in vitreous humour can serve in current medico-legal practice as an indication for the post-mortem interval, especially for the later period (more than three days). On balance this creatine determination is only useful when combined with all other medico-legal parameters that establish the time of death, remembering that the confidence-interval in the investigations was rather wide.

scholarly journals Time Flies—Age Grading of Adult Flies for the Estimation of the Post-Mortem Interval

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Jens Amendt ◽  
Valentina Bugelli ◽  
Victoria Bernhardt
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Cuticular Hydrocarbon ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Immature Stage ◽  
The Body ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Current State ◽  
Gene And Protein Expression ◽  
Age Grading

The estimation of the minimum time since death is one of the main applications of forensic entomology. This can be done by calculating the age of the immature stage of necrophagous flies developing on the corpse, which is confined to approximately 2–4 weeks, depending on temperature and species of the first colonizing wave of flies. Adding the age of the adult flies developed on the dead body could extend this time frame up to several weeks when the body is in a building or closed premise. However, the techniques for accurately estimating the age of adult flies are still in their beginning stages or not sufficiently validated. Here we review the current state of the art of analysing the aging of flies by evaluating the ovarian development, the amount of pteridine in the eyes, the degree of wing damage, the modification of their cuticular hydrocarbon patterns, and the increasing number of growth layers in the cuticula. New approaches, including the use of age specific molecular profiles based on the levels of gene and protein expression and the application of near infrared spectroscopy, are introduced, and the forensic relevance of these methods is discussed.

scholarly journals TINJAUAN MEDIKOLEGAL PERKIRAAN SAAT KEMATIAN

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eklesia A Senduk ◽  
Johannis F. Mallo ◽  
Djemi Ch. Tomuka
Keyword(s):  
Crime Scene ◽  
Medical Doctor ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Legal Issue ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
The One ◽  
Close Relatives

Abstract: Most human beings will experience cycles of life, including the processes of natural conception, birth, and death. From the various life cycles mentioned, death is the one that still contains a huge mystery. Death also affects the close relatives and others connected to the deceased. Death  is not only a medical and social issue, but also an important legal issue. In homicide cases, the estimated time of death can help reveal the identity of the murderer,  and as a clue to the whereabouts of the crime scene. A certification of death made by a medical doctor will help the deceased’s relatives to claim insurance, legally change his/her marriage status, and  other legal interests. It is every medical doctor’s concern to master the basics of estimating post mortem intervals. Keywords: post mortem interval, death    Abstrak: Semua makhluk hidup termasuk manusia akan mengalami siklus kehidupan, berawal dari proses pembuahan, kelahiran, kehidupan didunia, dan diakhiri dengan kematian. Dengan kata lain semua manusia sudah didiagnosis untuk mati. Kematian tidak hanya akan mempengaruhi almarhum/almarhumah saja, namun juga keluarga maupun orang-orang yang terhubung dengan almarhum/almarhumah.  Kematian bukan hanya masalah medis dan sosial, namun juga merupakan masalah hukum yang teramat penting. Perkiraan saat kematian akan membantu penyidik untuk membuka identitas pembunuh, dan memberi petunjuk mengenai dimana sebenarnya tempat kejadian perkara. Sertifikasi kematian oleh dokter juga akan membantu keluarga almarhum untuk memperoleh hak hukumnya, seperti asuransi, perubahan status perkawinan dan kepentingan hukum lainnya. Pemahaman dasar-dasar perkiraan saat kematian menjadi kepentingan setiap dokter dalam melaksanakan tugasnya. Kata kunci: mati, perkiraan saat kematian.

scholarly journals An Entomological Model for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-156
Author(s):  
Vania Mene Risriani ◽  
Tjandra Anggraeni ◽  
Nuning Nuraini
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Logistic Model ◽  
Main Question ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Dead Body ◽  
Local Factors ◽  
Post Mortem Interval

Identification of post-mortem interval started from the time when the dead body was found. The main question is to identify the time of death. In reality, the task is complicated since many local factors are involved in the process of decomposition. In most cases, the decomposition process is done by certain local insects that consume the biomass completely. This study uses a mathematical model for the post-mortem interval involving diptera and rabbit corpses as the biomass, based on experimental data from references. We formulate a type of logistic model with decaying carrying capacity only with diptera. The post-mortem interval is shown as the end period of consumption when larvae have entirely consumed the biomass. It is shown from the simulation that the decomposition lasts for 235 hours. The diptera are shown to disappear completely, leaving the remaining corpse after 120 hours.

Simultaneous analysis of potassium and ammonium ions in the vitreous humour by capillary electrophoresis and their integrated use to infer the post mortem interval (PMI)

2020 ◽  
pp. 002580242093423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Covadonga Palacio ◽  
Rossella Gottardo ◽  
Vito Cirielli ◽  
Giacomo Musile ◽  
Yvane Agard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Capillary Electrophoresis ◽  
Clinical Chemistry ◽  
The Body ◽  
Simultaneous Analysis ◽  
Vitreous Humour ◽  
Ammonium Concentration ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Ammonium Ions ◽  
Post Mortem Interval

Post-mortem changes of ions in the body fluids have been proposed as an objective tool for inferring the time of death. In particular, the post-mortem increase of potassium concentrations in the vitreous humour has gained great attention in the literature. On the other hand, ammonium, another ion released in post-mortem processes, has received much less attention, potentially due to unresolved analytical issues using current clinical chemistry methods. This paper presents an application of a new analytical approach based on capillary electrophoresis providing the simultaneous analysis of potassium and ammonium ions in the vitreous humour. In addition, to assess the consistency of the post-mortem increase of ammonium concentrations in the vitreous humour, the determination of this ion in the vitreous humour of the two eyes of the same body at the same post-mortem interval has been verified. Vitreous humour was collected from 33 medico-legal cases where the time of death was known exactly. Prior to analysis, all samples were diluted 1:20 with a 40 μg/mL solution of BaCl2 (internal standard). In the study of the variability of the ammonium concentration between the two eyes, no statistically significant differences were found, supporting the hypothesis of an even post-mortem increase of the ion concentrations in this particular biological fluid. Significant correlations of potassium and ammonium ions with the post-mortem interval were found, with r2 of 0.75 and 0.70, respectively.

Oxygen consumption and body temperature during sleep in cold environments

1959 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 765-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Kreider ◽  
P. F. Iampietro
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Cold Environments ◽  
Body Cooling ◽  
Skin Temperatures ◽  
Body Heat

Six young soldiers slept at the following ambient temperatures: 25.5° to 26℃ (78–80℉), 15° to 18.5°C (60°–65℉) and -32° to -34.5℃ (-25°--30℉). Rectal (Tr) and skin temperatures were recorded and mean weighted skin temperature (Ts) was calculated at -hour intervals every night; oxygen consumption (Vo2) was measured at 6-minute intervals on occasional nights. During sleep at a ‘comfortable’ temperature (25.5℃) Tr, Ts and Vo2 decreased below the resting levels measured just before retiring. During sleep in cold environments, Tr and Ts dropped to still lower levels with the lowest values recorded at an early hour of the night. Vo2 during sleep in the cold did not differ from values recorded during sleep at 25.5℃. Lowest values measured during sleep in the coldest environment were 35.5°C, 30.5℃ and 78 Cal/m2 for Tr, Ts and body heat debt, respectively. These values may represent the limits of body cooling compatible with substantially continuous sleep in the cold. Submitted on February 19, 1959

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