An Examination of Gastric Content Characteristics by Naked Eye to Estimate the Time of Death

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the estimated time of death using naked eye examination of the gastric content characteristics. To our knowledge, such research has not been documented in Thailand. The study samples were collected from cadavers on which autopsies had been performed in the Department of Forensic Medicine Siriraj Hospital from April 2001 to December 2002. All 120 bodies had had accurately documented the time of death and relatives or witnesses who could give proper details of the subjects' last meal. After the autopsy and examination of the gastric contents by naked eye, the findings were categorized into 5 groups as follows :
     Group 1 : Can specify the type of food. The interval of time from last meal to death was 0.25 - 3.00 hours: x̄ = 1.20, SD = 0.74.
     Group 2 : Very thick contents and can identify the composition of food. The interval of time after last meal to death was 0.75 - 5.00 hours: x̄ = 2.59, SD = 0.86.
     Group 3 : Very thick contents but cannot specify the type of food. The interval of time after last meal to death was 3.50 - 6.5 hours: x̄ = 4.16, SD = 0.81.
     Group 4 : Mixed thick and watery contents and cannot specify the type of food. The interval of time after last meal to death was 3.50 - 5.50 hours: x̄ = 4.69, SD = 0.65.
     Group 5 : Watery contents and cannot specify the type of food. The interval of time from last meal to death was 6.00 - 8.00 hours: x̄ = 6.96, SD = 0.81.
     The results of this research may be useful for estimating the time of death (in addition to other factors, e.g. rigor mortis). There are some limitations to this study and therefore, further research is recommended.