The photolytic decomposition of the insecticide imidacloprid (1) in HPLC grade water and of imidacloprid as the formulated product Confidor insecticide in tap water was studied using HPLC methodology. The structures of several degradates have been determined in aquatic medium, and the DT(50) values of imidacloprid and Confidor have been measured. In addition, the influence of TiO(2) on the photodegradation of Confidor was studied. The photoproduct 1-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl-2-imidazolidinone (5) has been identified as the main degradate in each of the three series of experiments by several analytical techniques. The photolytic half-lives for imidacloprid under the conditions of this study were 43 min in HPLC grade water, 126 min formulated as Confidor in tap water, and 144 min formulated as Confidor in tap water in the presence of TiO(2).

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The temperature-based nomogram method for estimation of the time period since death was used at the scene of death as the primary method within a compound method in 72 consecutive cases. The situation and cooling conditions inspected and evaluated by the forensic pathologist at the scene are described as far as necessary to enable handling of the method. A comparison of the estimated period since death with the period determined by the police investigations demonstrates the reliability of the method. There were no contradictions in any of the 60 cases between the period of death estimated by this method and that determined by the police investigations. The criminal investigations were effectively supported in the earliest stages in 11 cases despite the fact that the period estimated was of considerable duration.

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