Examination and Analysis of Statistical Methods for Post-Mortem Interval Estimation

Determining post-mortem interval (PMI), or time since death, is a crucial part of the forensic investigation process. However, there is not currently a reliable method of estimation that can be universally used in the field. The goal of this study was to analyze the most commonly used statistical methods of PMI estimation and attempt to improve these methods, particularly for a desert environment, through an assessment of variables collected through the Sonoran Desert Decomposition Project at ASU.