Estimation of the Time Since Death remains the foremost authoritative book on scientifically calculating the estimated time of death postmortem. Building on the success of previous editions which covered both the early and later postmortem periods this edition includes a new chapter on DNA/RNA degradation and further new content on drug testing in hair, thus widening the scope of the material. Chapters have been improved, updated and expanded, and include new and additional images to enhance the text. A unique work of synthesis combining rigorous science with practical guidance, this update reinforces the book’s reputation as an invaluable resource – and also the standard – for the estimation of the time since death.

Table of Contents:
Preface to the Third Edition. Preface to the Fourth Edition. Editor Biography. List of Contributors. General Remarks on Estimating the Time Since Death. Historical Review on Early Work on Estimating the Time Since Death. Supravitality in Tissues. Rigor Mortis: Estimation of the Time Since Death by Evaluation of Cadaveric Rigidity. Post-mortem Lividity: Hypostasis and Timing of Death. Post-mortem Body Cooling and Temperature-Based Methods. Basics and Application of the ‘Nomogram Method’ at the Scene. Finite Element Method in Temperature-Based Death Time Determination. The Prism Method. The Use of Temperatures Recorded from the External Auditory Canal. for the Estimation of the Post-mortem Intervalt. Eye Temperature and the Time Since Death. Autolysis, Putrefactive Changes and Post-mortem Chemistry. Autolysis (Self-digestion). Eye Changes After Death. Potassium Levels Combined with Age and Temperature. Estimation of Time Since Death Based on Vitreous Humour Hypoxanthine and Temperature Measurement. Cerebrospinal Fluid Chemistry. Estimation of Duration of Immersion. H3-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Post-mortem Protein Degradation. DNA/RNA Degradation and Time Since Death. Gastric Contents and Time Since Death. Immunohistochemical Methods as an Aid in Estimating the Time Since Death. Practical Casework. Integration of Different Methods in Casework. Conditional Probability in Death Time Estimation. Forensic Entomology. Radiocarbon Dating: Basic Principles and Applications. Cross-Sectional Imaging and the Post-mortem Interval. Drug Testing in Hair for the Estimation of the Time Since Death. Index.