Haemorrhage and Survival Times: Medical–Legal Evaluation of the Time of Death and Relative Evidence

Abstract

Haemorrhage is the name used to describe the loss of blood from damaged blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries). Identifying the time of haemorrhage remains a clinical challenge, knowing that blood perfusion of systemic tissues is poorly correlated with the perfusion of specific tissues. In forensic science, one of the most discussed elements is the time of death. This study aims to provide the forensic scientist with a valid model to establish a precise time-of-death interval in cases of exsanguination following trauma with vascular injury, which can be useful as a technical aid in the investigation of criminal cases. To calculate the calibre and resistance of the vessels, we used an extensive literature review of distributed one-dimensional models of the systemic arterial tree as a reference. We then arrived at a formula that allows us to estimate, based on a subject’s total blood volume and the calibre of the injured vessel, a time interval within which a subject’s death from haemorrhage from vascular injury falls. We applied the formula to four cases in which death had been caused by the injury of a single arterial vessel and obtained comforting results. The study model we have offered is only a good prospect for future work. In fact, we intend to improve the study by expanding the case and statistical analysis with particular regard to the interference factors to confirm its actual usability in practical cases; in this way, useful corrective factors can be identified.