[Drying time for human saliva].

Abstract

In a case of aggravated extortion under threat of force, the medicolegal expert was asked to give an opinion on the drying time of human saliva. Fresh traces of saliva were applied to composite stones similar to those at the scene of the crime and their drying behavior was examined in a climate test chamber. Air temperature and air humidity during the experiment corresponded to the values of the measuring station located nearest to the crime scene. After one hour and 40 minutes no salivary spots were discernible on the stones any more. Depending on various influence factors, the traces could have originated both at the time of the offence and within a time window of up to 3 hours before.