Evaluation of scientific methods used in determination of postmortem interval

Abstract

The cun-cnt study was performed to throw light on the use of new methods to evaluate the post mortem interval as determination of the postmortem interval (PMI) is of great importance in both criminal and civil cases as it is one of the most difficult problems in the forensic pathology, and accuracy is impossible and recently it acquires great importance for the prompt harvesting of organ transplantation purposes and for the legality of discontinuation of life supporting equipment . This study was focusing on all aspects of several sophisticated methods in the hope of finding a reliable means of estimation of the postmortem interval human rectal, , cranial, ear, and sub-hepatic temperature have heen used and estimated as they give the most reliable results , we preferred temperature changes of the inner . '• core, because the decline is slower and more regular , outer ear temperature was also used to determine temperature changes of the brain . we evaluated 100 cases from the cas.es presented to the greater Cairo Morgue. In the period from 1st of January 2001 to end of June 2004 with known PMI. The

cases were evaluated according to the following Parameters: age, Gender of deceased

, Place , cause of death mean drop of rectal and ear temperature , degree, time of beginning and time of completion of hypostasis . We measured the temperature and color changes, report and analyze them. These changes are routinely reported in protocols and are the most commonly used in postmortem timing. As regards mean drop pf temperature we found that almost half the cases had average drop of 0.5- <1oc; hour. As regards place of death, the maj rity of cases died at hospital and at home had average mean drop of temperature.