Postmortem decrease in brain temperature.

Abstract

The postmortem decrease in central brain temperature in a small number of forensic cases is presented. Each case shows a simple exponential fall during the time of the measurements. The data reported by Brinkmann et al. (1978), when plotted in semilogarithmic coordinate system, also show--after an initial "plateau" of about 2 h--a strictly one-term exponential temperature fall for several hours post mortem. The curve of brain temperature fall allows conclusions about the time of death without considering clothing, body stature, and weight. The interval temperature measurements which are required may be obtained on the spot, and the calculations needed are very simple. The method, therefore, seems preferable to those depending on rectal temperature measurements.