Influence of electricity on post-mortal body temperature

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Biophysics
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Accurate post-mortem interval (PMI) estimation is crucial in forensic investigations.
• Electrocution cases present unique challenges for traditional PMI estimation methods based on body temperature.
• Observed discrepancies between rectal temperature and time of death in a suicidal electrocution case prompted this investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if prolonged electrical current exposure (hand-to-hand, >30 min) elevates core body temperature.
• To assess the reliability of temperature-based PMI estimation in cases involving electrocution.
• To investigate potential causes for the post-mortem temperature plateau.

Main Methods:

• Finite Element Method (FEM)-based computer simulations of electrical current flow and thermal effects.
• Animal experiments involving controlled electrical current application and temperature monitoring.
• Rectal and soft tissue temperature measurements in experimental models.

Main Results:

• FEM simulations showed localized warming of soft tissues in the arm, without significant core body temperature increase.
• Animal experiments corroborated simulation findings, demonstrating soft tissue warming but not core body temperature elevation.
• A spontaneous rise in core body temperature was observed in animal experiments even without electrical stimulation, potentially explaining the post-mortem temperature plateau.

Conclusions:

• Electrical current exposure, even prolonged, does not significantly raise core body temperature, validating temperature-based PMI estimation in electrocution cases.
• The study supports the continued use of rectal temperature for estimating the time since death, even when electrocution is the cause of death.
• The observed spontaneous core body temperature rise may contribute to the typical post-mortem temperature plateau phenomenon.