[The estimation of the time of death of corpses recovered from water (author's transl)]

Abstract

Putrefaction, autolysis and maceration of water corpses follow a regular sequence depending on the water temperature and the interval in the water, the socalled water period. We have determined the beginning of characteristic exterior and interior changes in 395 water corpses of adult persons with known immersion intervals and water temperatures at the place of discovery at the time of recovery. The corpses had been kept in a cooling-rrom at 4 degrees C for 2 to 3 days until they were studied. Altogether 10 parameters have been considered and plotted (Fig. 1-3): intensive dyscoloration of the skin, gasformation, loosening of hair, loss of hair, putridity transsudate of more than 500 ml into the pleural cavitiesn, bloodlessness of heart, softening and liquefaction of the brain, loosening of fingernails, loss of washer-woman's skin from the hands and loss of fingernails. Several parameters are synchronous (Fig. 1,2). The studied intervals of exposure to water were from 2 to 47 days at water temperatures between 22 and 3 degrees C. - By means of the three diagrams it can be found out how many days at the minimum a corpse had been submerged, if the water temperature at the place of discovery is known and storage in a cooling-room has taken place for 2 to 3 days. Also statements are possible about the maximal period of time. - Corpses found in the Rhine will develop washer-woman's skin on hands and feet after no less than 5 hours, even at summer temperatures, and adipocere after no less than 2.5 to 3 months. There is no difference between running and stagnant water in the chronological developments of the parameters investigated. Also the degree of water pollution does not affect the estimation of the time of death.