Multiple-probe thermography for estimating the postmortem interval: II. Practical versions of the triple-exponential formulae (TEF) for estimating time of death in the field

Al-Alousi, L.M., Anderson, R.A., Worster, D.M. and Land, D.D. (2001) Multiple-probe thermography for estimating the postmortem interval: II. Practical versions of the triple-exponential formulae (TEF) for estimating time of death in the field. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 46(2), JFS4620323.

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Publisher's URL: http://www.astm.org/DIGITAL_LIBRARY/JOURNALS/FORENSIC/PAGES/JFS14964J.htm

Abstract

A simple, reliable, and relatively accurate method for estimating the time since death is described. It is based on the Triple-Exponential Formulae (TEF), which are devised for the first time in this study. The postmortem cooling rate of the brain, liver, and rectum in 117 forensic cases were investigated (Part I). The method can be used in the field as a computer program, reference graph, or reference chart-ruler. The program is simple and can easily be run by any user. There are six reference graphs representing the average brain, liver, and rectal cooling curves for naked and covered body groups. The ruler is designed for the rectal cooling curves for covered and naked bodies. This method requires one temperature measurement of the chosen body site and the environment. The postmortem interval is estimated as a probable value ± a possible range of time estimates with a built-in confidence limit.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Land, Dr David
Authors: Al-Alousi, L.M., Anderson, R.A., Worster, D.M., and Land, D.D.
Subjects:R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA1001 Forensic Medicine. Medical jurisprudence. Legal medicine
Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Journal of Forensic Sciences
Publisher:ASTM International
ISSN:0022-1198
ISSN (Online):1556-4029

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