Climatic variations influencing the estimation of time since death: An experience from a Tertiary Care Center of North India

Regional temperature variation leads to influence the early post-mortem change (Algor Mortis)in the body which makes it difficult to accurately estimate the time since death.

Present study aims towards analyzing the seasonal climatic factors which could influence the estimation of time since death in region of Himachal Pradesh as this part of the country lies in a temperate climatic region with temperature variations being different from other regions of the country.

Total 352 cases reporting for autopsy to the department of forensic medicine from 1^st March 2021 to 31^st August 2022 in the host institute were included in this study. Data was collected using a predesigned semistructured proforma from the hospital records, police records and from relatives and attendants. A detailed autopsy examination as per the adopted procedures was carried out.

Out of total 352 cases, 281 were males and 71 were females with the mean age of 41.46 ± 16.84years. A higher number of cases was reported in summer season (129), followed by rainy season (92), winter season (71) and autumn season (60).At the time of death, the mean ambient temperature in all cases was 16.59 ± 4.72!. The mean rectal temperature in institutional deaths in hospital recorded deaths was 29.04 ± 3.68!. The rate of temperature fall in institutional deaths was 0.83 ± 0.19!. The ambient temperature in non-institutional/ directly brought cases where only Police record was available was 28.01 ± 3.75!. The rate of temperature fall in non-institutional deaths/ directly brought by police was 0.76 ± 0.13!. Rate of temperature fall in Institutional Deaths as per hospital record in autumn season was 0.91 ± 0.10!, in rainy season was 0.70 ± 0.12!, in summer season was 0.73 ± 0.11! and in winter season was 1.10 ± 0.14!.

Distribution of cases in all months are almost equal with exception of August. A higher number of cases was reported in summer season, followed by rainy, winter and autumn season. Conclusions of this study could be used as guidelines in estimation of time since death in this region.