METHODS OF ESTIMATION OF TIME SINCE DEATH

Course overview

FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS ARE ESSENTIALLY REQUIRED TO ESTIMATE THE TIME SINCE DEATH (TSD) TO ASSIST IN DEATH INVESTIGATION BY LIMITING THE INVESTIGATION PERIOD AND THUS HELPING NARROW DOWN THE NUMBER OF SUSPECTS IN HOMICIDE CASES. TSD ALSO PROVIDES VALUABLE INFORMATION IN ESTABLISHING THE TIMELINE OF EVENTS THAT LEAD TO DEATH. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE PREVALENT METHODS, INCLUDING TRADITIONAL AND MODERN TECHNIQUES, AND THE INHERENT SHORTCOMINGS OF THE METHODS OF ESTIMATION OF TIME SINCE DEATH RELATE TO THE ESSENTIAL POINTS NEEDED BY MEMBERS OF AN INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM MANAGING THE MEDICO-LEGAL INVESTIGATION OF DEATH.