A robot-based measurement system for the reflectance-spectroscopic characterization of livores mortis

The intermittent and long-term spectroscopic observation of light reflected from livor mortis is hoped to help with the determination of the time of death or its circumstances like e.g. carbon monoxide poisoning. A mobile measurement system with a robot for the required movements has been assembled and thoroughly tested at the Offenburg University of Applied Sciences. It has been operated reliably for 36 hours continuously recording spectra and taking temperature and distance measurements every 20 minutes. The system has been delivered to the collaborating Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Würzburg for field studies.