A method and apparatus for processing slaughtered poultry that is conveyed in a slaughter line of a slaughter house is provided in order to determine at the start of the slaughter line whether the poultry was alive or dead on arrival at the slaughter house. The method and apparatus can include the detection of a temperature of the slaughtered poultry when the poultry is suspended by the legs in the slaughter line after stunning the poultry. The temperature of at least a breast of the slaughtered poultry is detected. The temperature of other regions of the slaughtered poultry may also be detected and may be compared. Further action may be taken based on the temperature information obtained.