In 28 cases of sudden death, the corpses were tested for the effect of different storage temperatures (5 degrees C, 14 degrees-15 degrees C, 25 degrees C) regarding the reaction of livor mortis to known pressure conditions (force and duration of pressure). The reaction is dependent on the storage temperature but there is no linear relationship. At certain storage temperatures the postmortem lividity reaction is dependent on the amount and duration of the pressure. In addition, at defined storage temperature and pressure conditions, there are large interindividual differences in the estimation of time of death.