There is no reliable method that can be used alone to determine the time of death. Many findings should be evaluated together.
Early interval determination:
Dead cooling:
In the first 12 hours after death, body temperature drops by 1 °C per hour.
Dead stiffness:
It starts in 3-6 hours on average, completes in 12-24 hours, and resolves in 24-36 hours.
Dead spots:
It starts on the 1st 2-4 hours and becomes evident in 8-12 hours.
Eye change:
A complete corneal opacity occurs by Day 3 when the eyes are closed.
Increased K ion level in vitreous fluid:
It is reported that it is possible to get healthy results after the first 12 hours.
Mid-term interval determination:
Postmortem putrefaction: At the 24th hour, putrefaction becomes evident. Color change in the ileocecal region 24-36. It takes 2-3 days for the face to have a black face appearance and 5-6 days for the changes in the whole body due to putrefaction.
Determination of late interval:
Findings such as saponification and mumification are much later findings that take months.
