[On the forensic significance of corpse's «posture» in death from general hypothermia].

Abstract

Examination of the corpses of people who died from general hypothermia in conditions of non-obviousness often causes difficulties in forensic evaluation. The article presents the reports of forensic medical experts and personal observations in relation to corpses of individuals who died from hypothermia on land (150 observations), and the personal photo archives of A.Yu. Chudakov. The signs of fatal general cold injury, obtained in conditions of human presence, on land (sometimes with combined cooling, pre-soaking in water), have been supplemented and specified by descriptions of various body positions (postures). The nature of postmortem postures of corpses of people has been evaluated. The data recorded in the reports of the corpses' examination at the site of detection (on the scene) were relevant for analysis.