Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Homeostatic Imbalances in Body Temperature01:19

Homeostatic Imbalances in Body Temperature

Hyperthermia occurs when the body's temperature becomes unusually high, often due to heat exposure, intense physical activity, or certain illnesses. This condition can create a dangerous cycle where elevated body temperature increases the metabolic rate, generating more heat and potentially leading to organ failure and brain damage. A severe form of hyperthermia, called heat stroke, can raise body temperature to life-threatening levels. Fever, on the other hand, is a controlled form of...
Increased Body Temperature01:25

Increased Body Temperature

A body temperature above  38°C  (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
Body Temperature01:07

Body Temperature

Body temperature reflects the equilibrium between heat production and heat loss within the body. Most heat is generated by metabolically active tissues, particularly the liver, heart, brain, kidneys, and endocrine organs. At rest, skeletal muscles contribute 20–30% of total heat production, but during vigorous exercise, this can increase up to 30–40 times.
The average body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F) and typically ranges from 36.1–37.2°C (97–99°F), remaining relatively stable...
Body Temperature01:25

Body Temperature

The body's temperature, measured in degrees, is determined by the balance between heat production and dissipation to the surrounding environment. For instance, if exercising vigorously, the body will produce more heat, causing sweat and dissipating that heat. Despite extreme environmental conditions and physical exertion, the human temperature-control system maintains a constant core body temperature (the temperature of deep tissues, which are the tissues located beneath the skin and other...
Decreased Body Temperature01:29

Decreased Body Temperature

A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by sustained extreme cold exposure, and severe...
Thermoregulation01:26

Thermoregulation

The human body has a sophisticated thermoregulation system that employs negative feedback mechanisms to maintain an optimal core temperature. When the core temperature drops, peripheral and central thermoreceptors send signals to the hypothalamus, activating the heat-promoting center. This center triggers several responses aimed at increasing the core temperature. First, vasoconstriction reduces the flow of warm blood from internal organs to the skin so that the heat is not lost from the skin,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Therapeutic vs. Recreational Use of Cocaine: Avoiding Diagnostic and Judicial Errors Through Interprofessional Collaboration-A Five-Case Report.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Difference in Central and Peripheral Total Tryptase Concentration/Level in Fatal Anaphylaxis: A Case Report.

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology·2025
Same author

Preliminary Metabolomic Profiling of the Vitreous Humor from Hypothermia Fatalities.

Journal of proteome research·2021
Same author

Levels of haemolysis have no effect on femoral vein post-mortem tryptase levels.

Medicine, science, and the law·2021
Same author

Medicolegal Implications of Biphasic Anaphylaxis.

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology·2020
Same author

Differences Between Central and Peripheral Postmortem Tryptase Levels.

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology·2020

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

A Preclinical Model of Exertional Heat Stroke in Mice
08:22

A Preclinical Model of Exertional Heat Stroke in Mice

Published on: July 1, 2021

Hyperthermia and postmortem biochemical investigations.

Cristian Palmiere1, Patrice Mangin

  • 1University Centre of Legal Medicine, Rue du Bugnon 21, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland. cristian.palmiere@chuv.ch

International Journal of Legal Medicine
|June 7, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Diagnosing heat-related deaths is challenging due to unavailable temperatures and nonspecific findings. This review explores postmortem biochemical investigations to aid in confirming hyperthermia as a cause of death.

More Related Videos

Measuring Skeletal Muscle Thermogenesis in Mice and Rats
07:56

Measuring Skeletal Muscle Thermogenesis in Mice and Rats

Published on: July 27, 2022

Protocol for Long Duration Whole Body Hyperthermia in Mice
07:56

Protocol for Long Duration Whole Body Hyperthermia in Mice

Published on: August 25, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

A Preclinical Model of Exertional Heat Stroke in Mice
08:22

A Preclinical Model of Exertional Heat Stroke in Mice

Published on: July 1, 2021

Measuring Skeletal Muscle Thermogenesis in Mice and Rats
07:56

Measuring Skeletal Muscle Thermogenesis in Mice and Rats

Published on: July 27, 2022

Protocol for Long Duration Whole Body Hyperthermia in Mice
07:56

Protocol for Long Duration Whole Body Hyperthermia in Mice

Published on: August 25, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Pathology
  • Toxicology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Postmortem diagnosis of heat-related deaths is difficult due to lack of terminal temperatures and nonspecific autopsy findings.
  • Current diagnostic methods rely heavily on scene investigation and exclusion of other causes.
  • Biochemical markers offer potential for improved diagnostic accuracy in hyperthermia cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review medicolegal literature on postmortem biochemical investigations for heat-related deaths.
  • To explore the utility of various biochemical markers in confirming hyperthermia.
  • To enhance the diagnostic capabilities of forensic pathology in cases of suspected heatstroke.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating postmortem biochemical markers in heat-related deaths.
  • Analysis of published data on electrolytes, hormones, proteins, enzymes, and neurotransmitters.
  • Evaluation of immunohistochemistry and biochemical findings in relation to cause of death determination.

Main Results:

  • Postmortem biochemical analysis can provide valuable data to support or refute hyperthermia as a cause of death.
  • Specific markers in blood and biological fluids show promise in corroborating heat-induced physiological changes.
  • Integration of biochemical data with traditional autopsy methods can improve diagnostic certainty.

Conclusions:

  • Postmortem biochemical investigations are crucial for substantiating hyperthermia in forensic cases.
  • Further research into specific biochemical markers can refine diagnostic protocols for heat-related fatalities.
  • Utilizing biochemical data enhances the objective assessment of heat exposure as a cause of death.