Temperature‐Dependent Postmortem Changes in Human Cardiac Troponin‐T (cTnT): An Approach in Estimation of Time Since Death

Estimation of time of death is an indispensible requirement of every medico‐legal autopsy, but unfortunately, there is not a single method by which it could be determined accurately. This study focused on the temperature‐dependent postmortem degradation of cardiac troponin‐T and its association with postmortem interval (PMI) in human. The analysis involved extraction of the protein, separation by denaturing gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), and visualization by Western blot using cTnT‐specific monoclonal antibodies. The area of the bands within a lane was quantified by scanning and digitizing the image using Gel Doc (Universal Hood). The results indicate a characteristic banding pattern among human cadavers (n = 6) and a pseudo‐linear relationship between percentage of cTnT degradation and the log of the time since death (r > 0.95), which can be used to estimate the postmortem interval. The data presented demonstrate that this technique can provide an extended time range during which PMI can be more accurately estimated.     

The Role of Vitreous Magnesium Quantification in Estimating the Postmortem Interval

The use of magnesium as a parameter to estimate the time of death is controversial. In 32 traumatic deaths with known postmortem intervals (PMIs), small quantities of vitreous humor (VH) were sampled repetitively every 3 h until 24 h postmortem. The bodies were kept at the constant ambient temperature of 20°C (68°F). The concentrations of magnesium were in the range of 0.47–1.15 mM. A statistically significant correlation of the concentration of magnesium with the PMI was observed (r = 0.453, p < 0.01), but with small predictive value—coefficient of variation for regression was 45.5%; the average of the paired differences between the estimated and actual PMIs was 5.24 + 3.19 h. Although useful results might be expected due to the large transmembrane gradient for magnesium, the results of this study strongly disprove the usefulness of measuring magnesium in VH to estimate the time of death.     

Estimating postmortem interval for human cadavers in a sub‐tropical climate using UV‐Vis‐near‐infrared Spectroscopy

Estimating postmortem interval (PMI) of surface found skeletal remains is challenging. This novel study used UV‐Vis‐NIR spectroscopy to scan soil collected from cadaver decomposition islands (CDIs) ranging from 15‐ to 963‐d postmortem and control soils. A decomposition product spectra model (DPS model) was constructed by deducting the control soil spectra from the CDI soil spectra for the estimation of postmortem indices: PMI (d), ADD₄, ADD₁₀, and ADD₂₀. The DPS model (n = 55) was calibrated and subjected to a full cross‐validation. Calibration R² and RPD for the DPS model ranged from 0.97 to 0.99 and from 6.1 to 9.9, respectively, for the four postmortem interval indices. Validation R² and RPD for the DPS model ranged from 0.73 to 0.80 and from 1.9 to 2.2, respectively. The DPS model estimated postmortem intervals for three test CDIs in a clay soil under perennial grassland (test set 1; n = 3) and six CDIs in a sandy soil under a loblolly pine forest (test set 2; n = 6). Test set 1 had PMI prediction ranges from ?69 to ?117 days, ?796 to +832 ADD₄, +552 to +2672 ADD₁₀, and ?478 to ?20 ADD₂₀ of observed PMI. Test set 2 PMI prediction ranged from ?198 to ?65 days, ?9923 to +2629 ADD₄, ?6724 to +1321 ADD₁₀, and ?2850 to +540 ADD₂₀ of observed PMI. Test set 2 had poor predictions for two CDIs, for all measures of postmortem indices resulting in discussion of sampling depth, effect of body mass index (BMI), and scavenging.     

基于角膜图像的人体死亡时间推断模型初探

目的尸体角膜随死后时间延长发生的形态学变化是规律性较好的指标,常用来判断死亡时间(postmortem interval,PMI)。本文尝试用机器视觉代替人的肉眼主观判断,收集尸体样本以建立通过人体角膜图像推断PMI的模型。方法收集实际案例建立包含505例人体死后角膜图像的数据库,PMI范围为0.24h(约死后14min)至492h(约死后20.5d),大致分为三类(依次为:0~<6h、6~<20h、20h及以上)或二类(0~<15h、15h及以上);使用由华盛顿大学陈天奇博士提出的Xgboost模型分别进行二分类与三分类分析;使用多种卷积神经网络模型分别进行分类和回归学习,并通过比较最终选择了由微软研究院提出的ResNet模型进行分析。结果Xgboost在三分类时预测准确率依次为71.8%、40.7%、65.7%,二分类时为90%、48.5%。ResNet分类模型中,精准率、召回率在三分类时分别依次为:81%、75%,30%、50%,61%、71%,二分类时为:70%、92%,76%、38%。ResNet回归模型中,比较整个模型的预测结果,0~6h内的预测值与真实值较为接近,均值误差为0.5616,均方误差为0.5873,6h之后开始出现较大误差。结论分类和回归模型都在0~6h之内得到了很好的结果,说明在此时间段内,角膜图像噪声较低,可预测性强。     

Measurement of Postmortem Pupil Size: A New Method with Excellent Reliability and Its Application to Pupil Changes in the Early Postmortem Period

Measurement of postmortem pupil width is a potential component of death time estimation. However, no standardized measurement method has been described. We analyzed a total of 71 digital images for pupil–iris ratio using the software ImageJ. Images were analyzed three times by four different examiners. In addition, serial images from 10 cases were taken between 2 and 50 h postmortem to detect spontaneous pupil changes. Intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability of the method was excellent (ICC > 0.95). The method is observer independent and yields consistent results, and images can be digitally stored and re‐evaluated. The method seems highly eligible for forensic and scientific purposes. While statistical analysis of spontaneous pupil changes revealed a significant polynomial of quartic degree for postmortem time (p = 0.001), an obvious pattern was not detected. These results do not indicate suitability of spontaneous pupil changes for forensic death time estimation, as formerly suggested.     

The biochemical alteration of soil beneath a decomposing carcass

The processes associated with cadaver decomposition in outdoor settings, particularly those that occur during the extended postmortem interval (>30 days) are poorly understood. Thus, few methods are currently available to accurately estimate the extended postmortem interval (PMI). Of these methods, a soils-based approach has the potential to address the postmortem interval between which entomology and anthropology are the most valuable. Although the validity of soil-based methods has previously been established, little work has been conducted to explain the processes that have been designated for forensic application. As a consequence, we investigated the dynamics of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus-based compounds in soil beneath pig (Sus scrofa) cadavers (gravesoil) that were placed on the soil surface over a period of 100 days. Decomposition was assessed through the physical characteristics of the cadaver, soil pH, soil moisture content, and the concentration of total carbon, total nitrogen, soil-extractable phosphorus, and lipid-phosphorus in soil. Cadaver decomposition did not result in a significant difference in soil carbon and moisture content. However, significant (P < 0.05) increases were observed in the concentration of soil pH, total nitrogen, soil-extractable phosphorus, and lipid-phosphorus. Based on the current results, a significant increase in the concentration of gravesoil nutrients represented a maximum PMI of 43 days (lipid-P), 72 days (total nitrogen), or 100 days (soil-extractable phosphorus). This work provides further evidence that a soil-based method has the potential to act as a tool for the estimation of extended PMI.     

大鼠死后骨骼肌细胞核DNA降解的彗星电泳检测

目的探讨彗星电泳检测大鼠死后骨骼肌细胞核DNA降解碎片与死后时间的关系。方法建立SD大鼠死亡模型,18只雌性大鼠断颈处死,在25.1℃分别于死后6、12、24、36、48、60提取大鼠骨骼肌组织进行彗星电泳,荧光显微成像系统采集图像,同时获取多个分析参数(Comet4.0),并进行统计学处理。结果在死后6～48h,彗星尾长(TL)在死后各时间点的均数依次为11.56±0.10、17.76±0.18、18.82±0.21、21.68±0.18和23.33±0.07;Oliver尾矩(TM)在各时间点的均数依次为1.63±0.46;2.12±0.90;2.15±1.03;2.22±0.76;3.35±0.80;尾DNA(TDNA)在各时间点的均数依次为29.57±8.42;32.36±10.92;30.11±12.55;37.81±12.03;54.76±8.60。结论细胞DNA降解随着死后时间的延长而增加;彗星尾长用于推断死后时间优于Oliver尾矩和尾DNA。     

Influence of Paraquat on Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Infesting Minced‐beef Substrates in Kelantan,Malaysia

This study investigated the influence of paraquat, a prevalent poison used by suicides, on initial oviposition and development of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) using minced‐beef substrates. Paraquat in lethal dose for human (40 mg/kg), two times the lethal dose (80 mg/kg) and five times the lethal dose (200 mg/kg) were mixed thoroughly with respective minced‐beef substrates (1 kg each) that were decomposed in a shaded habitat fully protected from rain. Results of four replications of the above experiment revealed that the presence of paraquat neither delayed initial oviposition nor prolonged the developmental stages of C. megacephala. Therefore, estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) based on empirical baseline data obtained using animal models devoid of any poisons would still be appropriate for estimating PMI in paraquat‐related deaths.     

单细胞凝胶电泳检测大鼠死后肝细胞核DNA降解

目的应用单细胞凝胶电泳技术(SCGE)检测大鼠死后肝细胞核DNA降解规律,分析与死亡时间的关系,为早期死亡时间的推断提供新的方法。方法在大鼠死后30h内,每隔3h取肝组织样本进行单细胞凝胶电泳,用共聚焦显微镜摄取彗星图像,应用彗星图像分析软件(IM I1.0)进行图像分析,并作统计学分析。结果死后大鼠的肝细胞在电泳图像上出现明显的彗星形拖尾,其尾长(TL)、尾矩(TM)在一定的时间范围内(0~18h)随死亡时间的延长而逐渐增大,二者均与死亡时间(PM I)呈现一定的相关回归关系。结论单细胞凝胶电泳技术可应用于早期死亡时间的推断。     

死亡大鼠看家基因mRNA时序性降解的组织差异性研究

目的研究死亡大鼠看家基因mRNA时序性降解的组织差异性,评价其用于死亡时间推断的价值。方法SD大鼠20只分为死后0、1、3、5、7d共5组,脊椎脱臼法处死大鼠,提取大鼠心、肝、脾、肺、肾、脑组织,在相应时间段提取RNA,应用一步法RT-PCR技术检测各组织中看家基因GAPDHmRNA和β-actinmRNA的水平,Vilber凝胶图像分析系统测定扩增产物IOD值,SPSS10．0统计软件对数据进行方差分析。结果GAPDHmRNA、β—actinmRNA扩增产物相对灰度与积分光密度值随死后经过时间的延长而逐渐减小,且与死亡时间显著相关,大鼠脾脏和脑组织GAPDHmRNA和β-actinmRNA在死后5d内可检出,心脏和肾脏在死后3d内可检出,而肝脏和肺脏GAPDHmRNA和β-actin mRNA降解较快,仅在死后1d内可检出。结论脑组织和脾脏中mRNA稳定性较好,适用于PMI特别是晚期PMI的推断。除环境温度外,环境湿度也是死亡时间推断中的重要影响因素。     

A Forensic Entomological Analysis Can Yield an Estimate of Postmortem Interval,and Not Just a Minimum Postmortem Interval: An Explanation and Illustration Using a Case

Several authors claimed that a forensic entomological analysis can never be interpreted as the postmortem interval (PMI), but that it can be interpreted as a minimum postmortem interval (PMI_min), or dead for not less than X amount of time. Because in most instances, a PMI estimate should be a range, that is, the set of values from maximum postmortem interval (PMI_max) to PMI_min, objections to PMI estimation are objections to PMI_max estimation. The arguments for this position did not address the substantial body of literature describing estimation of both PMI_max and PMI_min using insect succession analysis. This report reviews the scientific issues and presents a recent homicide investigation in which several forensic entomology experts used the absence of carrion insects on the corpse, a kind of succession analysis, to estimate PMI or PMI_max.     

硬脑膜厚度及生物力学参数时序性变化在死亡时间推断中的应用

目的研究人尸体硬脑膜厚度以及生物力学参数与死亡时间(postmortem interval,PMI)的关系,探讨其用于推断PMI的可行性。方法收集尸体检验的硬脑膜样本并按死后6h、12h、18h、24h、30h、36h、48h、60h、72h、84h、96h分组,统一制作成4.0cm×1.0cm的A、B两块试件。测量A试件厚度后检测极限载荷、最大力变形、抗拉强度、弹性模量、断裂力等生物力学参数,分别拟合厚度和生物力学参数值与PMI的回归方程,并通过验证组验证PMI预测值与实际值之间的差异。B试件经10%中性甲醛溶液固定后制备组织切片观察其形态学变化。结果死后6~96h,硬脑膜厚度逐渐减小,胶原纤维从排列清晰逐渐变为相互融合,细胞核数量逐渐变少;硬脑膜厚度、极限载荷、抗拉强度、弹性模量、断裂力呈时序性下降趋势,其中硬脑膜厚度、极限载荷、弹性模量、断裂力与PMI具有相关性(P<0.05)。回代检验中验证组PMI实际值和预测值之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论人死后6~96 h的硬脑膜厚度、极限载荷、弹性模量、断裂力呈时序性变化,利用其与PMI的关系建立的回归方程可用于PMI推断。     

Do bone elasticity and postmortem interval affect forensic fractographic analyses?

Forensic fractographic features of bone reliably establish crack propagation in perimortem injuries. We investigated if similar fracture surface features characterize postmortem fractures. Experimentally induced peri- and postmortem fractures were used to assess if fractographic features vary as bone elasticity decreases during the postmortem interval (PMI). Thirty-seven unembalmed, defleshed human femoral shafts from males and females aged 33–81 years were fractured at varying PMIs with a drop test frame using a three-point bending setup and recorded with a high-speed camera. Vital statistics, cause of death, PMI length, temperature, humidity, collagen percentage, water loss, fracture energy, and fractography scores were recorded for each sample. Results showed that fractographic features associated with perimortem fractures were expressed in PMIs up to 40,600 accumulated degree hours (ADH), or 60 warm weather days. Hackle was the most consistently expressed feature, occurring in all fractures regardless of ADH. The most variable characteristics were wake features (78.4%) and arrest ridges (70.3%). Collagen percentage did not correlate strongly with ADH (r = −0.04, p = 0.81); however, there was a strong significant correlation between ADH and water loss (r = 0.74, p < 0.001). Multinomial logistic regression showed no association between fractographic feature expression and ADH or collagen percentage. In conclusion, forensic fractographic features reliably determine initiation and directionality of crack propagation in experimentally induced PMIs up to 40,600 ADH, demonstrating the utility of this method into the recent postmortem interval. This expression of reliable fractographic features throughout the early PMI intimates these characteristics may not be useful standalone features for discerning peri- versus postmortem fractures.     

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。     

Citrate Content of Bone for Time Since Death Estimation: Results from Burials with Different Physical Characteristics and Known PMI

A recently introduced method to determine the postmortem interval (PMI) based on quantification of the citrate content in bone was applied on the temporal bones and femora of 20 individuals buried in wooden coffins (WO) and body bags (BB), respectively. Concerning known vs. calculated PMI, a significant difference between the temporal and the femur bone samples of the same individuals was observed in the BB group (p = 0.012). In contrast, differences were insignificant for the WO group (p = 0.400). Moreover, similar levels of underestimation of PMIs resulted from the analysis of the femora for both burial groups (p = 0.247). Also, there was consistently less citrate preserved in the flat temporal bones as compared to the femora, indicating that the cortical layer of the long bones should be preferentially employed for citrate‐based PMI estimations. The results call for additional research on subsurface‐buried and surface‐deposited remains to enhance the accuracy of the published PMI equation.     

Post-mortem interval estimation using miRNAs of road traffic accident cases: A forensic molecular approach

In forensic examination accurate estimation of post-mortem interval (PMI) is a challenging task, particularly in the advanced stages of decomposition. The existing methods (algor mortis, livor mortis, rigor mortis, putrefaction etc) used for estimating PMI rely on analyzing the physical, biochemical, and metabolic changes that occur in the corpse after death. While these methods have shown some level of effectiveness in estimating PMI during the early stages of decomposition, accurate estimation becomes increasingly challenging during the later stages of putrefaction when the body undergoes significant changes. Recently, microRNA (miRNA) profiling due to its relatively small size and stability has emerged as a promising tool in several areas of forensics. This study demonstrates the potential of miRNA for PMI estimation in advanced stages of death. In this study, miRNA-195, miRNA-206, and miRNA-378 were selected as target miRNAs and miRNA-1 as reference miRNA. Left ventricle tissue (5 g) of the heart from 20 forensic autopsies of traffic accident victims (18–32 years) were collected and processed. The samples were held at room temperature for eight different time intervals (12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 168 and 196 h), and RNA was extracted from all the samples using Trizol-based RNA isolation protocol, followed by cDNA synthesis and amplification with commercially available specific miRNA probes in Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR), Ct was calculated. The result showed that miRNAs were associated with PMI. Over time, there were substantial changes in the Ct values of all three miRNAs, with significant reductions observed at 196 h compared to 12 h. miRNA-206 demonstrated significant changes at multiple time intervals, while miRNA-1 remained stable for up to 196 h and thus holds caas an endogenous marker. In conclusion, miRNA has the potential to serve as a valuable tool for estimating PMI, especially during the advanced stages of decomposition, when used in conjunction with established techniques. However, further validation of the study is required to obtain more accurate estimates of PMI.     

TUNEL法检测大鼠死后心肌细胞核DNA断裂与死亡时间关系研究

目的用原位脱氧糖核苷酸末端转移酶介导的缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)观察大鼠死后心肌细胞DNA断裂与死亡时间(postmortem interval,PMI)的关系。方法建立SD大鼠死亡模型,在25.1℃,分别于死后6、12、24、36、48、60h提取大鼠心肌组织进行TUNEL检测,显微成像系统采集图像,经计算机图像系统分析及统计学处理。结果死后6~60h,心肌细胞核荧光染色依次由绿色、黄绿色亮度增强、亮黄色到荧光亮度减弱;形态由扁圆形或柱状,大小较均匀,到体积增大、呈毛虫状、多数核碎裂到形态不规整,大部分核形成碎片;心肌组织细胞核的IG,死后6h至36h依次增高,36h达到高峰,随后下降;心肌细胞核DNA的AG死后24h最高。结论死后各时间点,心肌细胞核的荧光颜色和亮度以及细胞核的大小和形态有一定的变化规律。     

Predicting the postmortem interval using human intestinal microbiome data and random forest algorithm

Gradual changes in microbial communities in a human body after death can be used to determine postmortem interval (PMI). In this study, gut microflora samples were collected from the vermiform appendix and the transverse colon of human cadavers with PMIs between 5 and 192 h. The results revealed that the appendix might be an excellent intestinal sampling site and the appendix flora had an inferred succession rule during human body decomposition. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and their respective subclasses showed a predictable succession rule in relative abundance over time. A Random Forest regression model was developed to correlate human gut microbiota with PMI. We believe that our findings have increased the knowledge of the composition and abundance of the gut microbiota in human corpses, and suggest that the use of the human appendix microbial succession may be a potential method for forensic estimation of the time of death.     

Determination of Malathion levels and its effect on the development of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) in South China

The present study determines the concentration of Malathion in rabbit tissues and Dipteral larvae feeding on those tissues. Malathion was found in all muscle and liver samples of the test rabbit, as well as larvae fed on it. Samples from the control rabbit and pupae from all colonies were negative for Malathion. Correlations were found between administered dosage, tissue concentrations and younger or prepuparial larvae. Effects of Malathion on the development rate of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) were also reported. C. megacephala is the most common fly species found on corpses in South China during the early stages of decomposition. Significant differences in larval growth rate were both observed among the colonies fed on muscle and liver. The presence of Malathion in both muscle and liver appears to retard the normal growth rate of C. megacephala in larval stage. Larvae from all colonies fed on tissues from rabbits treated with Malathion were smaller and attained maximum length later than those from the control colony. Duration of the larval and pupal stages was both significantly prolonged for larvae on tissues from rabbit receiving Malathion than those from the control colony. The difference of the duration of the larval and pupal stages together from the muscle colonies would alter the postmortem interval estimation by up to 36 h. As for liver colonies, it would alter the postmortem interval estimation by up to 28 h. A significantly different duration of the larval and pupal stages from the muscle colonies would alter a postmortem estimate by up to 28 h relative to the liver colonies.     

人脾脏细胞核DNA含量与死亡时间关系的图像分析

目的研究人脾脏细胞DNA含量改变与死亡时间的关系。方法选取36例已知死亡时间的人体脾脏,在死后5～36h内逐时进行细胞学涂片、Feulgen Vans染色观察,并用图像分析系统,测定脾脏细胞核积分光密度、平均灰度等灰度参数,所得数据用SPSS软件分析。结果在5～36h内平均光密度、积分光密度、平均灰度均值均与死亡时间显著性相关,并得出对应的回归方程,其中平均光密度、积分光密度随死亡时间的延长而逐渐减小、平均灰度逐渐增大。结论人脾脏细胞核DNA含量改变呈现一定规律,与死亡时间明显相关。