Improved estimation of postmortem interval based on differential behaviour of vitreous potassium and hypoxantine in death by hanging

Many formulae are available to estimate the relation between the potassium ([K+]) and hypoxantine ([Hx]) concentration in the vitreous humour and the postmortem interval (PMI). Typically these have been based on a correlation test and linear regression using the postmortal interval as the independent variable and [K+] or [Hx] as the dependent variable in order to estimate the confidence interval. However, a recent study has shown that a more precise measurement of PMI can be obtained if [K+] is used as the independent variable. The regression lines obtained from the most recent deceased subjects with forensic relevance received for autopsy in the Institute of Legal Medicine are [K+] = 5.589 + 0.174PMI and [Hx] = 26.459 + 3.017PMI, by changing the variables, we obtain PMI=3.967[K+] - 19.186 (R2 = 0.688, P < 0.001) and PMI = 0.172 [Hx] + 0.170 (R2 = 0.518, P < 0.001). In this paper we propose the cause of death as an extra factor which modifies the relationship and gives even greater precision in estimating PMI. In cases of death by hanging the results are considerably improved with [K+] = 5.224 + 0.225PMI and [Hx] = 15.161+4.957PMI, respectively, and consequently, PMI = 3.631[K+] - 17.334 (R2 = 0.818, P< 0.001) and PMI = 0.153[Hx] - 0.368 (R2 = 0.757, P < 0.001): the slope is less and the precision is obviously enhanced.     

双眼交替微量取样检测兔玻璃体液钾镁离子浓度推测死亡时间

目的研究死后眼玻璃体液钾镁离子浓度变化及其与死亡时间的关系。方法取健康家兔处死,死后不同时间于双眼玻璃体液交替微量取样,采用全自动生化分析仪检测样本中[K+]、[Mg2+],对所得数据进行统计学处理。结果死后12~120h,家兔玻璃体液中[K+]由11.01mmol/L上升至32.97mmol/L,[Mg2+]1.12mmol/L上升至2.22mmol/L,两种离子浓度与PMI进行回归分析自变量为[K+]的二次多项式回归方程为y=0.1756x2-3.3188x+29.804(R2=0.9868);自变量为[Mg2+]的二次多项式回归方程为y=-46.916x2+248.01x-213.81(R2=0.9340);自变量为[K+]和[Mg2+]的二次多项式回归方程为y=-17.55-4.82[K+]+0.20[K+]2+75.77[Mg2+]-19.47[Mg2+](R2=0.9881)。用[K+]的方程推测PMI,当[K+]<26.0mmol/L(PMI<60h)时,平均偏离时间为2.7~9.4h,当[K+]>28mmol/L(PMI>72h)时,平均偏离时间>15h;用[Mg2+]的方程推测PMI,平均偏离时间几乎均在10h以上;用二元方程推测PMI,平均偏离时间较前两者小。结论死后眼玻璃体液[K+]、[Mg2+]随时间延长而升高,且浓度变化与时间呈强相关性。但从实际运用角度考虑,R2<0.98,或平均预测偏离时间过大的回归方程,不宜用于PMI推测;应用多指标建立多元回归方程是提高推测PMI准确性的可行方法。     

肌原纤维小片化指数与人体死亡时间的相关性

目的研究死后人体骨骼肌肌原纤维小片化指数(myofibril fragmentation index,MFI)与死亡时间的关系。方法采用双缩脲法测定室温下死后不同时间人体右肱二头肌和右股四头肌的全蛋白浓度,紫外分光光度计测定540 nm处的吸光度,得到骨骼肌MFI值。以死亡时间为自变量(x),MFI值为因变量(y),进行回归分析。结果在死后早期,人体骨骼肌MFI值随着时间延长逐步增高,之后趋于平缓,以12 h内最为显著。死后0~12 h,右肱二头肌回归方程为y=32.660+3.227 x(r=0.987 9),右股四头肌回归方程为y=32.380+3.495 x(r=0.983 9)。结论 MFI与死亡时间相关性强,结合法医实践经验,对于死后早期(尤其12 h内)死亡时间推断具有良好的应用前景。     

多体素~1H-MRS推断不同温度下死亡时间的研究

目的利用多体素质子磁共振波谱(1H-MRS)技术推断不同温度下的死亡时间。方法选取24只白兔,分为两组,利用多体素质子磁共振波谱测定死后30m in、1h、2h、4h、6h、8h、12h、16h、24h脑内N-乙酰天门冬氨酸、胆碱复合物、磷酸肌酸和肌酸各代谢物之间峰下面积的比值。结果死后24h内N-乙酰天门冬氨酸与磷酸肌酸和肌酸的比值随死亡时间的延长而降低,胆碱复合物与磷酸肌酸和肌酸的比值随死亡时间的延长而升高。Naa/Cr、Ch/Cr与PM I进行回归分析:自变量为Naa/Cr的二次多项式方程为:y=0.0020x2-0.0815x+1.4532(R2=0.971);自变量为Ch/Cr的二次多项式方程为:y=-0.0024x2+0.0870x+1.1876(R2=0.962)。用Naa/Cr的方程推测PM I,当PM I<24h时,平均偏离时间为1.70~50.27m in,用Ch/Cr的方程推测PM I,当PM I<24h时,平均偏离时间为1.12~98.11m in。结论Naa/Cr、Ch/Cr的死后变化与时间呈强相关性,可用于死亡时间推断。     

家兔死后眼玻璃体液镁，铁含量与PMI关系的研究

目的寻找一种精确推定PMI的方法。方法应用电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS),检测家兔死后96h内眼玻璃体液镁、铁元素含量,探讨其与PMI的相关性。结果家兔死后0～48h眼玻璃体液镁元素含量与PMI显著相关,6～48h铁元素含量与PMI显著相关,其二项式回归方程分别为y=0.0738x2+0.6997x+11.45(R2=0.9119)、y=0.0411x2-0.3148x+1.4113(R2=0.9594)。结论家兔死后眼玻璃体液Mg、Fe含量变化可作为推定48h内PMI的参考指标之一。     

磁共振波谱技术推测不同温度下的死亡时间

目的利用单体素质子磁共振波谱技术推断不同温度下的死亡时间(postmortem interval,PMI),探讨不受外界环境温度影响下推断PMI的可行性。方法选取24只白兔,分为A组(10℃)、B组(30℃),利用磁共振单体素波谱测定死后0.5、1、2、4、6、8、12、16和24h脑内N-乙酰天冬氨酸(N-acetyl-aspartate,Naa)、胆碱复合物(Choline,Cho)、磷酸肌酸和肌酸(phosphocreatine and creatine,Cr)峰下面积(相对含量)及各代谢物之间相对含量的比值。结果在死后24h内Naa和Cr峰下面积随PMI的延长而减少,Naa/Cr、Cho/Cr随PMI的延长而降低。回归分析:自变量为Naa/Cr的二次多项式方程为:y=0.0019x2-0.803x 1.4498(R2=0.962);自变量为Cho/Cr的二次多项式方程为:y=-0.0024x2 0.926x 1.1777(R2=0.986)。用Naa/Cr的方程推测PMI,当PMI<24h时,平均偏离时间为2.10～37.90min,用Cho/Cr的方程推测PMI,当PMI<24h时,平均偏离时间为1.69～40.87min。结论Naa/Cr、Cho/Cr的死后变化与时间呈强相关性且受环境温度影响不大,可用于不同温度下PMI推断。     

A retrospective comparative study to evaluate the reliability of post-mortem interval sources in UK and US medico-legal death investigations

Post-mortem interval (PMI) information sources may be subject to varying degrees of reliability that could impact the level of confidence associated with PMI estimations in forensic taphonomy research and in the practice of medico-legal death investigation. This study aimed to assess the reliability of PMI information sources in a retrospective comparative analysis of 1813 cases of decomposition from the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner in Pittsburgh, US (n = 1714), and the Crime Scene Investigation department at Southwest Forensics in the UK (n = 99). PMI information sources were subjected to a two-stage evaluation using an adapted version of the 3x5 aspects of the UK police National Intelligence Model (NIM) to determine the confidence level associated with each source. Normal distribution plots were created to show the distribution frequency of the dependent variables (decomposition stage and source evaluation) by the independent variable of PMI. The manner, location, and season of death were recorded to ascertain if these variables influenced the reliability of the PMI. A confidence matrix was then created to assess the overall reliability and provenance of each PMI information source. Reliable PMI sources (including forensic specialists, missing persons reports, and digital evidence) were used across extensive PMI ranges (1 to 2920 days in the US, and 1 to 240 days in the UK) but conferred a low incidence of use with forensic specialists providing a PMI estimation in only 35% of all homicide cases. Medium confidence PMI sources (e.g., last known social contact) accounted for the majority of UK (54%, n = 54) and US (82%, n = 1413) cases and were associated with shorter PMIs and natural causes of death. Low confidence PMI sources represented the lowest frequencies of UK and US cases and exclusively comprised PMI information from scene evidence. In 96% of all cases, only one PMI source was reported, meaning PMI source corroboration was overall very low (4%). This research has important application for studies using police reports of PMI information to validate PMI estimation models, and in the practice of medico-legal death investigation where it is recommended that i) the identified reliable PMI sources are sought ii) untested or unreliable PMI sources are substantiated with corroborating PMI information, iii) all PMI sources are reported with an associated degree of confidence that encapsulates the uncertainty of the originating source.     

家兔死后眼玻璃体液锌、镍含量与 PMI关系的研究

目的寻找一种精确推定PMI的方法。方法应用电感耦合等离子体质谱（ICP－MS）,检测了家兔死后96小时内眼玻璃体液锌、镍元素含量,探讨其与PMI的相关性。结果家兔死后24h内眼玻璃体液锌、镍元素含量与PMI显著相关,可作为推定早期PMI的参考指标,其二项式回归方程分别为y=0.1404x2－1.3351x＋3.8298（R2=0.9202）、y=0.0043x2－0.0596x＋0.2665（R2=0.9103）。结论家兔眼玻璃体液中Zn、Ni元素含量变化是推定早期PMI的参考指标之一。     

猪眼玻璃体液钾离子、次黄嘌呤浓度变化与PMI推断

目的 研究猪眼玻璃体液成分变化及其与死亡时间(postmortem interval,PMI)的关系.方法放血处死家猪后取带眼睑的眼球96只,随机分为24组,在避光、温度(15±2)℃、湿度(50±5)%条件下分别放置2～96h,采集玻璃体液,运用全自动生化检测仪、超高效液相色谱检测K+、Na+、Cl-及次黄嘌呤(hy...     

人脾细胞核几何参数变化与早期死亡时间的相关性研究

目的运用图像分析技术探讨人脾脏细胞核几何参数变化与死亡时间的关系。方法选31例已知死亡时间的人离体脾组织,在死后36h内每h细胞学涂片、Feulgen-Vans染色,对人脾细胞核的异形指数等5个几何参数进行图像分析。结果脾脏细胞核异形指数在死后5～36h呈上升趋势,r=0.983,线性回归方程y=11.334x-33.339,面积、等效直径、平均直径、周长均与死亡时间无明显的相关性。结论异形指数能较客观地反映人脾细胞核DNA降解后的离散分布状况,与死亡时间有明显相关性,可能是推断早期准确死亡时间的较好形态学指标。     

家兔死后眼玻璃体液消光度与死亡时间关系研究

目的 为寻找一种精确推定死亡时间的方法。方法 应用 754分光光度计,在 420nm波长下,检测了 48只家兔死后不同时间的眼玻璃体液消光度,探讨其与死亡时间的关系。结果 眼玻璃体液消光度（ X）与死亡时间（ Y）呈线性正相关（ r=0.983 27, P< 0.05）,在死后 0～ 72小时,眼玻璃体液消光度与死亡时间存在回归关系（ F=116.54, P< 0.05）,直线回归方程为： Y = 453.30X＋ 0.75 [Y为死亡时间 (PMI),单位为小时; X为眼玻璃体液消光度 ]。结论眼玻璃体液消光度的测定可作为推断死后 72小时内死亡时间的参考指标之一。     

Vitreous humor chemistry: the use of potassium concentration for the prediction of the postmortem interval

Upon review of the literature, extensive disagreement was found as to the usefulness of vitreous humor potassium concentration as a predictor of the postmortem interval (PMI). A pilot study of 1427 cases was performed to address this problem. The requisite statistical analysis for the prediction of PMI is inverse prediction. The 95% inverse prediction interval was found to be approximately +/- 20 h. The linear regression equation for the data was y = 0.238 chi + 6.342, with a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.374. This r2 value means that 62.6% of the variation of potassium is unaccounted for by the variation in PMI. Further studies are required to attribute this unaccounted variation to quantifiable factors. This would narrow the inverse prediction interval and enable vitreous potassium to be a useful aid in the prediction of PMI.     

大鼠死后视网膜细胞核DNA含量变化的图像分析

目的分析死后不同时间大鼠视网膜细胞核DNA含量变化图像,探讨视网膜细胞核DNA降解与死亡时间（PMI）的关系。方法90只成年健康雌性SD大鼠,随机分成15组,死后0—28h内（20℃）,每2h提取视网膜细胞进行Feulgen-Vans染色;采用图像分析系统检测视网膜细胞核的异形指数（ID）、积分光密度（IOD）和平均光密度（AOD）,并运用SPSS12．0软件对测量数据进行线性回归分析。结果视网膜细胞核AOD和IOD随死亡时间的延长逐渐下降,ID则呈上升趋势。28h内各参数变化的回归方程如下：YAOD=-0．009XAOD＋0．590,R^2=0．949,Y100=-0．097X。＋18．903,R^2=0．968,Y10=0．122X10＋2．246,R^2=0．951。结论大鼠死后视网膜细胞核DNA含量随着死亡时间的延长而呈规律性降解,并与PMI具有良好的相关性。     

不同温度下兔玻璃体液K~+浓度与死亡时间的关系研究

目的探索在不同环境温度条件下,玻璃体液中钾离子浓度变化规律与死亡时间的关系。方法家兔处死后分别置于5℃、15℃、25℃和35℃温度下保存,在0~120h内每12h双眼交替微量提取玻璃体液80~100μL;应用罗氏DPPI生化分析仪检测玻璃体液中K~+的浓度;应用插值函数进行分析拟合,建立死亡时间推断方程。结果各温度组家兔玻璃体液中K~+浓度随死亡时间延长均呈上升趋势,对所得数据进行插值拟合,在5℃~35℃的温度变化区间内,K~+浓度变化与PMI关系的三元五次曲面方程:f(x,y)=-1.998e~(14)+1.345e~(12)x+5.902e~(13)y+0.005 585x~2-4.509e~(11)xy-3.876e~(12)y~2-0.000 286 8x~3+0.003 545x~2y+4.406e~(10)xy~2-1.746e~(10)y~3+2.669e~(-6)x~4-1.568e~(-5)x~3y-0.000 177 1x~2y~2-1.64e~9xy~3+6.669e~9y~4-8.672e~(-9)x~5+4.467e~(-8)x~4y+2.354e~(-7)x~3y~2+2.459e~(-6)x~2y~3+2.05e~7xy~4-1.214e~8y~5(R~2=0.995 6),其中温度为自变量x,K~+浓度值为自变量y,PMI为因变量f(x,y)。结论在5℃~35℃的环境温度区间内,家兔眼玻璃体液中K~+浓度变化与死亡时间关系符合三元五次方程分布,利用插值函数拟合的方法可将环境温度作为参数,实现在环境温度变化条件下进行死亡时间推断。     

大鼠死后视网膜细胞mRNA降解与死亡时间的关系研究

目的检测死后大鼠视网膜细胞mRNA的降解和死亡时间(PM I)的关系,为死亡时间推断提供新方法。方法应用复合荧光RT-PCR技术,检测死后不同时间(2、4、6、8、10、12、14、16、18、20、22、24、26、28h)大鼠视网膜细胞β-actin、Pgk1和Rp l 4 mRNA水平,以立即处死大鼠作为对照。方差检验比较组间差异,并对所得数据进行回归分析。结果死后28h内,大鼠视网膜细胞β-actin、Pgk1、Rp l 4 mRNA水平均随死亡时间的延长而下降。3个管家基因mRNA的降解与死亡时间的线性拟合回归方程分别为:Yβ-actin=-4436.205Xβ-actin+127581.7(r2=0.976),YPgk1=-1993.884XPgk1+57651.54(r2=0.973),YRp l 4=-1189.791XRp l 4+34533.46(r2=0.955)。结论大鼠死后视网膜细胞mRNA的含量随着死亡时间的延长而逐渐降解,与死亡时间具有相关性。     

Third molar root development in relation to chronological age: a large sample sized retrospective study

The aim of the present investigation, which is a continuation and extension of a previous published pilot study [Forensic Sci. Int. 129 (2002) 110], was to calculate the chronological age of an individual based on the dental developmental stages of third molars (so-called wisdom teeth). The evaluated material consisted of 2513 orthopantomograms (OPG's) of patients all of Belgian Caucasian origin between 15.7 and 23.3 years. The sample of OPG's was scored by two observers who were calibrated for intra- and interobserver reliability by means of kappa statistics. The kappa statistics revealed a strong agreement between the intra- and interobserver measurements. Further statistical analysis was performed in order to obtain multiple regression formulae for dental age calculation with the chronological age as the independent variable and the third molar developmental stages as dependent variables. Both for males and females a significant Pearson correlation coefficient was noticed for contralateral third molars, a smaller less significant one for the antimeres. For the application of the regression formulae one has to take into consideration the gender, the location and number of wisdom teeth. Probabilities for an individual to be older than 18 years were also calculated in case of fully developed wisdom teeth.     

Confidence intervals for estimates based on linear regression in forensic anthropology

Forensic anthropologists commonly use simple linear regression to estimate the value of a dependent variable, such as stature, for a single specimen where the value of the independent variable, such as humerus length, is known. Published studies providing regression equations for such use almost invariably include the standard error of estimate. Unfortunately, it is exceptional for forensic anthropologists to use the standard error to calculate correctly the confidence limits for their single predicted value. We attempt to show why this may be and provide explicit guidelines for the proper construction of confidence interval in such circumstances.     

兔死后角膜内皮细胞核DNA降解随死亡时间变化规律

目的研究兔死后角膜内皮细胞核DNA降解与死亡时间的关系。方法应用单细胞凝胶电泳(SCGE)技术结合荧光显微镜和专业的计算机图像分析技术,检测27只家兔死后48h内不同时间点角膜内皮细胞核DNA降解情况。结果家兔死后角膜内皮细胞产生彗星现象,彗星样细胞出现率于兔死后6h开始逐渐增加。死后6～18h彗星样细胞出现率增加缓慢,死后24～36h出现率上升较快;死后36～48h彗星样细胞出现率上升缓慢,但仍始终保持在较高的水平上(M185.4%),其回归方程为y=-0.0096x2+2.4548x+5.7964,与死亡时间呈正相关(R2=0.9743)。结论家兔死后角膜内皮细胞彗星样细胞出现率随死亡时间增加而逐渐增加。     

Age estimation by pulp/tooth ratio in canines by peri-apical X-rays

Estimation of age in individuals has received considerable attention in forensic science, in which it is a widely used method for individual identification, together with paleo-demographic analyses to establish mortality patterns in past populations. The present investigation, which is a continuation of a previously published pilot study, was conducted to examine the possible application of the pulp/tooth area ratio by peri-apical images as an indicator of age at death. A total of 200 peri-apical X-rays of upper and lower canines were assembled from 57 male and 43 female skeletons of Caucasian origin, aged between 20 and 79 years. They belong to the Frassetto osteological collection of Sassari (Sardinia) and are housed in the Museum of Anthropology, Department of Experimental and Evolutionistic Biology, University of Bologna. For each skeleton, dental maturity was evaluated by measuring the pulp/tooth area ratio on upper (x(1)) and lower (x(2)) canines. Very good agreement was found between intraobserver measurements. Statistical analysis was performed in order to obtain multiple regression formulae for dental age calculation, with chronological age as dependent variable, and gender, and upper and lower canines as independent variables. Stepwise regression analysis showed that gender did not contribute significantly to the fit (p=0.881) whereas variables x(1) and x(2) and the first-order interaction between them did. These two variables explained 92.5% of variations in estimated chronological age and the residual standard error was 4.06 years. Lastly, two simple linear regression equations were obtained for age estimation using canines from the maxilla and mandible separately. Both models explained 86% of variations in estimated chronological age and allowed an age-at-death estimate with a residual standard error of about 5.4 years.     

Comparison of chemical methods for determining postmortem interval

Accurate determination of postmortem interval (PMI) is a problem for the forensic thanatologist, especially in unwitnessed deaths. A number of objective chemical methods for determining PMI have been developed, the most widely used being accumulation of potassium in the vitreous humor. The authors previously have reported a chemical method for determining PMI from the predictable accumulation or clearance of the dopaminergic metabolite 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT) in the putamen of the brain. They have extended their previous study to compare directly the accuracy of determining PMI from the level of 3-MT in putamen with the level of potassium in vitreous humor. The data indicate that 3-MT is at least as accurate as, if not more accurate than, potassium accumulation in vitreous humor, although 3-MT levels can be affected by the cause of death and drugs present at the time of death. Nevertheless, determination of both the 3-MT and potassium levels can afford the most accurate method of determining PMI; preliminary nomograms for determining PMI from both variables are presented.