postmortem interval

Postmortem interval (PMI) refers to the time that has elapsed since a person has died until the body is discovered or examined. Understanding PMI is crucial in forensic science, as it helps investigators determine the timeline of events surrounding a death. Various factors, including body temperature, decomposition rates, and environmental conditions, can influence PMI. Estimating this interval can assist in linking suspects to crime scenes or confirming alibis, making it an essential aspect of solving criminal cases and understanding the circumstances of a person's death.