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

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

doi:https://doi.org/10.17116/sudmed20236606118

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

Read: 1382 times

Download PDF (RU)

Contact the author

Table of contents

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 2026 Судебно-медицинская экспертиза (Forensic Medical Expertise)

Использование инфографики авторами научных работ

Close metadata

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

Close metadata

References:

Indiaminov SI, Zhumanov ZE, Blinova SA. Problems of establishing the prescription of the onset of death. Sudebno-meditsinskaya ekspertiza. 2020;63(6):45-50. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17116/sudmed20206306145
Vavilov AYu, Viter VI. Application of some modern mathematical models of post-mortem cooling of the body to determine the prescription of death. Sudebno-meditsinskaya ekspertiza. 2007;50(5):9-12. (In Russ.).
Nedugov GV. Numerical method for solving double exponential models of corpse cooling when determining the prescription of death. Sudebno-meditsinskaya ekspertiza. 2021;64(6):25-28. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17116/sudmed20216406125
Novikov PI, Shved YeF, Natsentov YeO, et al. Modeling of processes in forensic medical diagnosis of the prescription of death. Chelyabinsk—Izhevsk. 2008. (In Russ.).
Shved YeF. Modeling of post-mortem thermodynamics in determining the prescription of death under conditions of changing ambient temperature: Dis. ... kand. med. nauk. M. 2006. (In Russ.).
Shpaner MA, Chernyshov AP, Chernyshov KA, et al. Experience in using the hardware-software complex «Termit-1» in determining the duration of the offensive of death. Sudebno-meditsinskaya ekspertiza. 2001;5:6-8. (In Russ.).
Shved YeF, Novikov PI. Application of a mathematical model of the process of changing the temperature of a corpse in the diagnosis of prescription of death under variable environmental conditions. Sudebno-meditsinskaya ekspertiza. 1991;2:5-7. (In Russ.).
Henssge C. Death time estimation in case work. I. The rectal temperature of death nomogram. Forensic Science International. 1988;38:209-236.
Novikov PI, Belykh SA, Shved YeF, Natsentov YeO. Weather conditions and their influence on the process of changing the temperature of a corpse in diagnosing the prescription of death. Sudebno-meditsinskaya ekspertiza. 2004;1:13-14. (In Russ.).
Novikov PI. Forensic medical diagnosis of the prescription of the onset of death by modeling the post-mortem process of changing the temperature of a corpse: Dis. ... d-ra med. nauk. M. 1985. (In Russ.).
Viter VI, Kulikov VA. Current state and directions of development of the thermal method for determining the prescription of death. Problemy ekspertizy v meditsine. 2001;3:3-9. (In Russ.).
Shved YeF, Novikov PI. On the issue of mathematical modeling of the process of cooling a corpse for the purpose of forensic medical diagnosis of the prescription of death. Materials of the III All-Russian Congress of Forensic Physicians. Part II. Saratov. 1992. (In Russ.).
Receiver 23.01.2023