[Precision of estimating the time of death by mathematical expression of rectal body cooling (author's transl)]

Abstract

A representative material of experimental rectal cooling curves proves the basic validity of the model described by Marshall et al. for the mathematical expression of body cooling. For defined conditions of cooling as a relating standard the values of the exponents needed for the solution of the formula closely correlate with the weight of body to be raised to the -0.625 power. For applying in forensic cases a prescription easily to be used for the chosen relating standard of cooling is given for the computing of the time of death with permissible variation. From the first experiments of different conditions of body cooling to be met in forensic cases the possibilities of extending the range of application are derived.