Hypothermia

The human body is extremely poor at adapting to external weather conditions, being able to adjust body temperatures only within a range of 35°C to 42°C. Changes in body temperature above or below these limits can be fatal. The problems associated with hypothermia are encountered by a wide spectrum of medical disciplines. This volume presents talks delivered at an interdisciplinary workshop on Hypothermia that took place in December of 2002. Each contributor addresses a particular aspect of hypothermia as viewed from the perspective of his or her particular field. The contributions are up-to-date and enlightening. From the perspective of the forensic medicine, the following questions are addressed: How long and under what conditions can hypothermia be survived? How can the forensic pathologist differentiate algor mortis from hypothermia-related asystole at autopsy? In cases of hypothermia-related asystole, when is resuscitation still warranted or even absolutely indicated? When can death from hypothermia be diagnosed, what signs should the forensic pathologist look for at autopsy, and what signs constitute reliable confirmation of hypothermia as the cause of death? What influence does ambient temperature have on bodily processes, e. g. on metabolism or on cellular reactions at the borders of wound (estimation of wound age)? From the general medical point of view numerous other questions need to be addressed.