Estimation of the post-mortem interval in beagle dogs.
Estimation of the time that has elapsed between death and the post-mortem examination of a body contributes to the investigation of death by defining the period during which death may have occurred. In a veterinary context, investigations involve a range of incidents including out-of-season shooting of game animals, poaching, death during transportation and cases of neglect or non-accidental injury of domestic animals. This study on dogs of the same breed, of similar weights and held under identical conditions, shows that a combination of rectal temperature, environmental temperature, gross pathology and histological changes can provide a scientifically based estimate of the post-mortem interval during the first 10 h following death, of up to one day, one to three days, three to seven days and one to three weeks.
Erlandsson
Maria
M
Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
Munro
Ranald
R
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D001831:Body Temperature; D004285:Dogs; D044707:Forensic Sciences / Q000379:methods*; D009812:Odorants; D010341:Pathology, Veterinary / Q000379:methods; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D013995:Time