Time of Death Determination

Overview:

· Determination of time of death is difficult, imprecise, and often not possible

·

Common sites:

·

Gross features:

· Livor mortis:

· Begins at 30 min

· Note: patients with cardiac failure may develop livor mortis prior to death

· Fixed livor (very variable)

· Will not shift if position of body is changed

· Due to hemolysis and extravasation of blood

· Rigor mortis:

· Begins within 2h

· Jaw -> face -> upper and lower extremities

· Fully developed 6-12h

· High temperatures and recent rigorous exercise accelerates the development of rigor

· Disappearance 36-48 hours (due to decomposition)

· < 24 h in hot temperatures

· Several days in cold temperatures

· Temperature of the body:

· Not very reliable due to multiple factors

· Stomach contents:

· Advanced decomposition:

· Depends on temperature, humidity

· 24h to 2 weeks in hot to moderate climates

· Skelatinization:

· Depends on temperature, scavengers

· 1 week to years

Histologic features:

·

Immunophenotype:

Marker:

Sensitivity:

Specificity:

Molecular features:

·

Other features:

· Potassium level of the vitreous:

· Related to speed of decomposition

· Not very reliable

·

References:

· Di Maio VJM, Dana SE. Forensic pathology. Austin, Tex.: Landes Bioscience; 1998.