About Glaister Equation Calculator (Formula)
The Glaister Equation Calculator is a tool used in the field of forensic science and physiology to estimate the time of death (postmortem interval) of a deceased individual. The Glaister Equation is a mathematical formula that relates the rate of cooling of a body after death to the ambient temperature of the surrounding environment. The formula is as follows:
Time of Death (TOD) = (T0 – Tambient) / Cooling Rate (CR)
Where:
- Time of Death (TOD) represents the estimated time since death, typically measured in hours.
- T0 is the initial body temperature at the time of death, typically measured in degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F).
- Tambient is the ambient (surrounding) temperature at the crime scene or location where the body is found, typically measured in the same units as T0.
- Cooling Rate (CR) is the estimated rate at which the body cools after death, typically expressed in degrees Celsius per hour (°C/h) or degrees Fahrenheit per hour (°F/h).
The formula calculates the time of death by considering the difference between the initial body temperature (T0) and the ambient temperature (Tambient) and dividing it by the cooling rate (CR). The cooling rate is affected by various factors, including the individual’s body size, clothing, environmental conditions, and the stage of decomposition.
The Glaister Equation is a simplification of the complex process of postmortem cooling and is just one of several methods used in forensic science to estimate the time of death. It provides an approximation that can help forensic experts in their investigations.
The Glaister Equation Calculator is a valuable tool for forensic scientists, investigators, and medical examiners, assisting them in estimating the time of death and contributing to the determination of critical forensic evidence in criminal investigations.