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Estimation of the time since death (by brain temperature, C. Henssge)

Time since death calculator.

Ambient temperature:  °C
Brain temperature:
  °C
Date of measurement: day month year
Time of measurement: hour min

 

Warning: The creators and developers of the site and the program do not accept any responsibility for the calculation results and their implications.

 

Calculations are carried out by a formula Brown & Marshall in modification C. Henssge (Henssge, C., and B. Madea. Estimation of the time since death in the early post-mortem period. Forensic science international 144.2 (2004): 167-175.):

(Tbrain - Tambient) / (37.2 - Tambient) = 1.135 e-0.127t - 0.135 e-1.07t

  • t - post-mortem interval (h);
  • Tbrain - brain temperature (C°).

Up to 6.5 h post-mortem the most precise computation of time of death was achieved by the exclusive application of brain temperature, which gave a time of death within ±1.5 h (95 % confidence limits). Between 6.5 and 10.5 h postmortem the brain/rectum combined computation of time of death balanced in the ratio of 6 to 4 was the most precise one, at ±2.4 h. Beyond 10.5 hpm, the most precise computation of time of death was achieved by exclusiveapplication of rectal temperature, and gave a time of death within ±3.2 h.

 

Where the Henssge method must not be used:

  • - strong radiation (sun, heater, cooling system);
  • - repeated extensive climatic changes;
  • - uncertain severe changes of the cooling conditions during the period between the time of death and examination;
  • - the place where the body was found is not the same as the place of death;
  • - suspicion of general hypothermia.

 

See also Estimation of the time since death (by rectal temperature, C. Henssge).

 

Discuss in the Forensic medical forum (russian).

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