Question

A naked, male corpse was found at 8AM on Tuesday, July 9.The air temperature wasalready 26.7˚C (81˚F). The body exhibited some stiffness in the face and eyelids and had a body temperature of 34.4˚C (93.9˚F). Livor mortis was not evident. Approximately how long ago did the man die? Justify your answer. Would clothing on the body have made a difference in determining the actual time of death in this case? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Answer:

x = 9.87 hours ago.

Further explanation is present below.

Explanation:

Data given:

Air Temperature = 26.7°C (81°F)

Body temperature = 34.4°C (93.9°F)

We are given that, Livor mortis was absent. Secondly, The body exhibited some stiffness in the face and eyelids.

So, it can be concluded that, body must have died recently, as Livor mortis was absent plus the presence of stiffness in the face and eyelids. Furthermore,

The normal body temperature = 37°C

Body temperature in our case = 34.4° C

Difference = 37 -34.4 = 2.6°C

And Air temperature = 26.7°C

Which is a very low difference, in addition, it has not acquired the air temperature so, all this evidence certifies that body died recently.

Now, we have to calculate, how recently it died.

Formula:

0.78 . x = difference of body temperature and air temperature

Where, x = number of hours = time required,

0.78 . x = (34.4 - 26.7)

0.78 . x = 7.7

x = 7.7/0.78

x = 9.87 hours ago.

It means that, naked male corpse was died 9.87 hours ago.

Now, we are asked to find out clothing on the body had made a difference or not.

So, Yes it would definitely make a difference. As body would have more warmer than being naked. and it would result in a calculation of a different time of death. (body temperature would have > 34.4°C)