On the forensic significance of corpse’s «posture» in death from general hypothermia

Chudakov A.Yu.; Tolmachev I.A.; Gaivoronskaya V.V.

doi:https://doi.org/10.17116/sudmed20256801122

Chudakov A.Yu.

Saint-Petersburg Military Order of Zhukov Academy of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation

SPIN RSCI: 2822-8027
ORCID: 0000-0003-3443-7908

Tolmachev I.A.

S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy

SPIN RSCI: 5794-9030
ORCID: 0000-0002-5893-520X

Gaivoronskaya V.V.

Saint-Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University

SPIN RSCI: 1204-1411
ORCID: 0000-0001-6462-462X

On the forensic significance of corpse’s «posture» in death from general hypothermia

Authors:

Chudakov A.Yu., Tolmachev I.A., Gaivoronskaya V.V.

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Journal: Forensic Medical Expertise. 2025;68(1): 22‑29

DOI: 10.17116/sudmed20256801122

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To cite this article:

Chudakov AYu, Tolmachev IA, Gaivoronskaya VV. On the forensic significance of corpse’s «posture» in death from general hypothermia. Forensic Medical Expertise. 2025;68(1):22‑29. (In Russ.)
https://doi.org/10.17116/sudmed20256801122

Подписка 2026 Судебно-медицинская экспертиза (Forensic Medical Expertise)

Использование инфографики авторами научных работ

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Abstract:

Examination of the corpses of people who died from general hypothermia in conditions of non-obviousness often causes difficulties in forensic evaluation. The article presents the reports of forensic medical experts and personal observations in relation to corpses of individuals who died from hypothermia on land (150 observations), and the personal photo archives of A.Yu. Chudakov. The signs of fatal general cold injury, obtained in conditions of human presence, on land (sometimes with combined cooling, pre-soaking in water), have been supplemented and specified by descriptions of various body positions (postures). The nature of postmortem postures of corpses of people has been evaluated. The data recorded in the reports of the corpses’ examination at the site of detection (on the scene) were relevant for analysis.

Keywords:

cold injury

accidental hypothermia

«postures» (positions) of corpses

general deep hypothermia

forensic medical examination

Authors:

Chudakov A.Yu.

Saint-Petersburg Military Order of Zhukov Academy of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation

SPIN RSCI: 2822-8027
ORCID: 0000-0003-3443-7908

Tolmachev I.A.

S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy

SPIN RSCI: 5794-9030
ORCID: 0000-0002-5893-520X

Gaivoronskaya V.V.

Saint-Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University

SPIN RSCI: 1204-1411
ORCID: 0000-0001-6462-462X

Received:

02.10.2024

Accepted:

08.10.2024

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References:

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