Effects of rounding errors on postmortem temperature measurements caused by thermometer resolution.

International Journal of Legal Medicine
Yoshimasa KanawakuMasato Funayama

Abstract

Beginning 7 h after death, a datalogger was used to measure the temperature in the external auditory canal of an adult male body placed in a refrigerated room. The sequence of measured values approximated a single exponential function with a correlation coefficient of 0.998475. This suggests that the starting time of body cooling in the refrigerated room under constant temperature can be calculated with less error using any two data points recorded by the datalogger. However, the results of such calculations varied widely and longer postmortem intervals demonstrated greater calculation errors. Periodic errors also appeared. Mathematical simulations showed that this variation was caused by rounding errors, which represent the difference between the thermometer readings and the true temperature. The resolution of the thermometer was 0.1 degrees C, a normal specification; however, even this led to noticeable rounding errors. Therefore, significant errors may influence postmortem interval estimations using other body temperatures. When body temperatures are used to determine the time of death, a method that minimizes rounding errors should be considered.

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Citations

Apr 20, 2010·International Journal of Legal Medicine·Michael HubigGita Mall
Feb 3, 2011·International Journal of Legal Medicine·Michael HubigGita Mall
Jul 28, 2015·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Marianito R Rodrigo
Mar 8, 2011·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Florian M Biermann, Stefan Potente
Dec 13, 2006·Legal Medicine·Yoshimasa KanawakuMasato Funayama
Jun 11, 2010·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Jimmy L Smart
Sep 11, 2014·Legal Medicine·Michael HubigGita Mall

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