Biomaterial Database

Death time estimation in case work. I. The rectal temperature time of death nomogram. 1988

C Henssge

Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Universität zu Köln, F.R.G.

A rectal temperature time of death nomogram was developed on the basis of physical considerations, the two-exponential term of Marshall and Hoare (J. Forensic Sci., 7 (1962) 56-81), further studies of literature and our own experimental body coolings. The Nomogram Method is based on a single measurement of the rectal temperature. The result is obtained immediately at a scene of crime without any mental arithmetic. Support in the practical application of the method and data for the accuracy of estimated death time are given. Special problems and its limitations are discussed. The Nomogram Method is compared with other temperature methods of estimating the time since death.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011180	Postmortem Changes	Physiological changes that occur in bodies after death.	Adipocere,Algor Mortis,Cruor,Livor Mortis,Change, Postmortem,Changes, Postmortem,Postmortem Change
D001831	Body Temperature	The measure of the level of heat of a human or animal.	Organ Temperature,Body Temperatures,Organ Temperatures,Temperature, Body,Temperature, Organ,Temperatures, Body,Temperatures, Organ
D003080	Cold Temperature	An absence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably below an accustomed norm.	Cold,Cold Temperatures,Temperature, Cold,Temperatures, Cold
D003643	Death	Irreversible cessation of all bodily functions, manifested by absence of spontaneous breathing and total loss of cardiovascular and cerebral functions.	End Of Life,End-Of-Life,Near-Death Experience,Cardiac Death,Determination of Death,Death, Cardiac
D005554	Forensic Medicine	The application of medical knowledge to questions of law.	Legal Medicine,Medicine, Forensic,Medicine, Legal
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000465	Algorithms	A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task.	Algorithm
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D014887	Weather	The state of the ATMOSPHERE over minutes to months.	Fog,Fogs