Estimation of Postmortem Interval from Rectal Temperature by Use of Computer (III)—Thermal Conductivity of the Skin

Abstract

The postmortem rectal temperature fall is the most reliable objective finding for estimation of the postmortem interval within one or two days. However, the thermal properties of human corpses are little known when applying the heat transmission theory to the temperature fall of a human corpse, which is assumed theoretically to be an infinite cylinder. Therefore, the thermal conductivity of excised human skin was measured by the transient hot-wire method. The values in 12 specimens averaged 0.30 Kcal/m.h.°C. The theoretical error due to the experimental conditions such as the size of specimen or heating probe was within about five per cent, and the deviation of three measurements for each material was slight. Accordingly, the deviation of thermal conductivity in 12 materials was considered to be due to the individual disparity in age, sex and postmortem changes.