How do forensic scientists determine time of death?

Forensic scientists use a variety of methods to determine the time of death in criminal cases. One of the key factors they consider is the body temperature of the deceased. Body temperature can provide valuable clues about when death occurred, as the body cools at a predictable rate after death.

Rigor mortis, the stiffening of muscles after death, is another important indicator. Rigor mortis typically begins within a few hours of death and gradually resolves over the next 24-48 hours. By examining the extent of rigor mortis in the deceased, forensic scientists can estimate the time of death more accurately.

Lividity, or postmortem lividity, is the pooling of blood in the lowest parts of the body after death. Lividity can help forensic scientists determine the position of the body after death and can provide additional information about the time of death.

Other factors that forensic scientists consider when determining the time of death include forensic pathology findings, postmortem changes such as decomposition, and any forensic evidence found at the scene.