Estimation of the postmortem interval based on the human decomposition process

H. T. Gelderman; C. A. Kruiver; R. J. Oostra; M. P. Zeegers; W. L. J. M. Duijst

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2018.12.004

Estimation of the postmortem interval based on the human decomposition process

H. T. Gelderman^*, C. A. Kruiver, R. J. Oostra, M. P. Zeegers, W. L. J. M. Duijst

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

Postmortem interval (PMI) estimations which are used as evidence in Dutch court are sometimes solely based on the experience of the forensic physician without a scientific background. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of agreement between forensic physicians and their PMI estimations.

Fifteen cases were selected from 1534 external postmortem investigations. Photographs of the human remains were presented to 89 forensic physicians in the Netherlands with the instruction to estimate the PMI based on their experience, knowing the remains were found indoors and in which season. Data analysis was conducted by using an interclass correlation (ICC) and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

This study shows a poor correlation (ICC = 0.254) between the PMI estimations of the 89 forensic physicians. It is therefore not advised that PMI estimations based on experience be used as evidence in court.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	122-127
Number of pages	6
Journal	Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Volume	61
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2018.12.004
Publication status	Published - Feb 2019

Keywords

Postmortem interval
Time since death
Decomposition
Human taphonomy
Dutch court
HUMAN CADAVERS
HUMAN REMAINS
DEATH
TIME
BODY
RELIABILITY
RATES
SOIL
ATP
SUCCESSION

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10.1016/j.jflm.2018.12.004

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Cite this

@article{eaf32cdb7767426a9ee9082329797a4e,

title = "Estimation of the postmortem interval based on the human decomposition process",

abstract = "Postmortem interval (PMI) estimations which are used as evidence in Dutch court are sometimes solely based on the experience of the forensic physician without a scientific background. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of agreement between forensic physicians and their PMI estimations.Fifteen cases were selected from 1534 external postmortem investigations. Photographs of the human remains were presented to 89 forensic physicians in the Netherlands with the instruction to estimate the PMI based on their experience, knowing the remains were found indoors and in which season. Data analysis was conducted by using an interclass correlation (ICC) and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.This study shows a poor correlation (ICC = 0.254) between the PMI estimations of the 89 forensic physicians. It is therefore not advised that PMI estimations based on experience be used as evidence in court.",

keywords = "Postmortem interval, Time since death, Decomposition, Human taphonomy, Dutch court, HUMAN CADAVERS, HUMAN REMAINS, DEATH, TIME, BODY, RELIABILITY, RATES, SOIL, ATP, SUCCESSION",

author = "Gelderman, {H. T.} and Kruiver, {C. A.} and Oostra, {R. J.} and Zeegers, {M. P.} and Duijst, {W. L. J. M.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine",

year = "2019",

month = feb,

doi = "10.1016/j.jflm.2018.12.004",

language = "English",

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T1 - Estimation of the postmortem interval based on the human decomposition process

AU - Gelderman, H. T.

AU - Kruiver, C. A.

AU - Oostra, R. J.

AU - Zeegers, M. P.

AU - Duijst, W. L. J. M.

PY - 2019/2

Y1 - 2019/2

N2 - Postmortem interval (PMI) estimations which are used as evidence in Dutch court are sometimes solely based on the experience of the forensic physician without a scientific background. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of agreement between forensic physicians and their PMI estimations.Fifteen cases were selected from 1534 external postmortem investigations. Photographs of the human remains were presented to 89 forensic physicians in the Netherlands with the instruction to estimate the PMI based on their experience, knowing the remains were found indoors and in which season. Data analysis was conducted by using an interclass correlation (ICC) and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.This study shows a poor correlation (ICC = 0.254) between the PMI estimations of the 89 forensic physicians. It is therefore not advised that PMI estimations based on experience be used as evidence in court.

AB - Postmortem interval (PMI) estimations which are used as evidence in Dutch court are sometimes solely based on the experience of the forensic physician without a scientific background. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of agreement between forensic physicians and their PMI estimations.Fifteen cases were selected from 1534 external postmortem investigations. Photographs of the human remains were presented to 89 forensic physicians in the Netherlands with the instruction to estimate the PMI based on their experience, knowing the remains were found indoors and in which season. Data analysis was conducted by using an interclass correlation (ICC) and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.This study shows a poor correlation (ICC = 0.254) between the PMI estimations of the 89 forensic physicians. It is therefore not advised that PMI estimations based on experience be used as evidence in court.

KW - Postmortem interval

KW - Time since death

KW - Decomposition

KW - Human taphonomy

KW - Dutch court

KW - HUMAN CADAVERS

KW - HUMAN REMAINS

KW - DEATH

KW - TIME

KW - BODY

KW - RELIABILITY

KW - RATES

KW - SOIL

KW - ATP

KW - SUCCESSION

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DO - 10.1016/j.jflm.2018.12.004

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SP - 122

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JO - Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine

JF - Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine

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