Publication

Abstract : Various taphonomic processes are responsible for the changes in a carcass. At present, late postmortem changes such as bloating, blister formation, colliquative putrefaction (qualitative variables) are utilised for estimation of time since death / postmortem interval in cases of advanced putrefaction. Due to seasonal / geographical variations there is gross difference of opinion in estimation of such postmortem intervals. These late postmortem changes can be converted to a scoring system (quantitative factors) called Total Body Score (TBS). A very recent concept called Accumulated Degree Days (ADD) measures temperature units accumulated into a carcass over a material time. TBS obtained is incorporated into ADD to estimate the postmortem interval more accurately. © 2012 South India Medico-Legal Association. All rights reserved.