Comparative analysis of several external factors which affect the development of postmortem changes

Abstract

Correlations between external factors and postmortem changes’ development were defined. The retrospective analysis of forensic medical reports was performed. To assess the level of postmortem changes’ development, the Total Body Score method was used. The analysis revealed that, in studied cases, there were weak correlations of: 1) the ambient temperature, in which the biggest mean correlation value, among studied factors, was observed; 2) thickness of clothes on corpse; 3) duration of postmortem stay outdoors. The other studied factors showed very weak connection with postmortem changes’ development. Also, no substantial differences between the genders were observed. These results could be used as to the elaborate the present methods of postmortem interval evaluation, as to develop the new techniques of its assessment.