To estimate the time of death based on a body temperature of 24°C, forensic scientists typically use formulas that consider the normal living body temperature, the temperature at the time of discovery, and the rate at which the body cools down after death, known as algor mortis.
One commonly used method is based on the Glaister equation, which estimates the hours elapsed since death by considering the average rate of cooling of a dead body under normal indoor conditions:
[tex]\[ Hours \, since \, death = \frac{(Normal \, body \, temperature - Current \, body \, temperature)}{Cooling \, rate \, per \, hour} \][/tex]
The average normal internal body temperature is approximately 37°C (but can vary slightly from person to person), and the average cooling rate is typically assumed to be 0.5°C to 1.5°C per hour under typical room temperature conditions. However, this rate can substantially differ based on factors like the environment (e.g., the temperature and humidity of the room where the body was found), clothing, body weight, and cause of death, which can affect the temperature at which the body was at the time of death.
Let's use the Glaister equation with an average cooling rate. We need to make some assumptions for this estimate:
1. The normal body temperature at the time of death was 37°C.
2. The average cooling rate is approximately 1°C per hour, though this can vary.
3. The body was found in conditions that did not significantly accelerate or decelerate the cooling process.
Using the assumptions, the calculation would be:
[tex]\[ Hours \, since \, death = \frac{37°C - 24°C}{1°C \, per \, hour} = \frac{13°C}{1°C \, per \, hour} = 13 \, hours \][/tex]
So, based on these assumptions, the approximate time of death would be 13 hours before the body was found with a temperature of 24°C.
It's crucial to note that this is a rough estimate. In an actual forensic investigation, a pathologist would use detailed knowledge of the specific conditions surrounding the deceased to fine-tune this calculation. Other factors like rigor mortis, livor mortis, and decomposition are also considered in conjunction with body temperature to provide a more accurate estimate of the time of death.
