Mathematical simulation of the corpse’s temperature change during exposure of a direct solar radiation to diagnose a postmortem interval

Vavilov A.Yu.

Izhevsk State Medical Academy

ORCID: 0000-0002-9472-7264

Belykh S.A.

Izhevsk State Medical Academy

ORCID: 0000-0002-5281-7886

Shved E.F.

«Sudmedexpert» Expert Consulting Bureau

ORCID: 0000-0001-5164-6643

Mathematical simulation of the corpse’s temperature change during exposure of a direct solar radiation to diagnose a postmortem interval

Authors:

Vavilov A.Yu., Belykh S.A., Shved E.F.

More about the authors

Journal: Forensic Medical Expertise. 2023;66(6): 18‑23

DOI: 10.17116/sudmed20236606118

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To cite this article:

Vavilov AYu, Belykh SA, Shved EF. Mathematical simulation of the corpse’s temperature change during exposure of a direct solar radiation to diagnose a postmortem interval. Forensic Medical Expertise. 2023;66(6):18‑23. (In Russ.)
https://doi.org/10.17116/sudmed20236606118

Подписка 2025-2 (Forensic Medical Expertise)

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OBJECTIVE

To choose an optimal mathematical model and to practice the method of its use during finding the corpse under exposure of a direct solar radiation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The studies were carried out on 9 corpses with body weight from 50 to 83 kg. The influence of black (6 corpses) and white (3 corpses) colored cotton fabrics was investigated to standardize a photoreceptive surface of clothes. In addition, the objects (bags made of substantial polyethylene, densely filled with moderately humid black soil) replacing corpses with mass of 5.5, 11.0, 16.5 and 22.0 kg, wrapped in cotton fabric of specified colors, that imitates clothes, were used. The objects’ temperature was measured within the accuracy of 0.001 °C, air temperature — within accuracy of 0.1 °C. A simplified one-dimensional variant of the finite mathematical differences method, representing the process of corpse’s cooling as a discrete transfer of heat from one layer (node) to another, was used in developing the mathematical modeling algorithm. The model consisted of ten nodes was used in calculations.

RESULTS

A mathematical model in the form of equations’ system was developed, in which the variable reflecting the intensity of corpse’s surface heating by sun rays was introduced. The example of calculation made with data of real measurements of corpse’s temperature, that was in open place for the sun rays, is shown.

Keywords:

postmortem interval

corpse’s temperature

solar radiation

mathematical model

Authors:

Vavilov A.Yu.

Izhevsk State Medical Academy

ORCID: 0000-0002-9472-7264

Belykh S.A.

Izhevsk State Medical Academy

ORCID: 0000-0002-5281-7886

Shved E.F.

«Sudmedexpert» Expert Consulting Bureau

ORCID: 0000-0001-5164-6643

Received:

23.01.2023

Accepted:

30.01.2023

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Receiver 23.01.2023

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