Estimation of Postmortem Interval from Rectal Temperature by Use of Computer (IV)—Thermal Diffusivity of the Rabbit

Abstract

The measurement of the postmortem rectal temperature fall is the most reliable procedure for estimation of the postmortem interval within one or two days. The thermal properties of a human corpse, however, are little known when applying the heat transmission theory to the temperature fall of the human corpse, which is assumed to be an infinite cylinder. Therefore, the thermal diffusivity of the whole body of a human corpse should be measured. The nonlinear least square method was thus proposed to measure the thermal diffusivity of the whole body of the human and animals. We needed to verify the reliability of the measurement method before measuring the human corpse. So, the thermal diffusivity of the rabbit was studied in this paper. The values in 5 specimens averaged 0.00036 m2/h, and the variation coefficient was 0.42. This method was considered to be applicable to the human corpse.