Identification of Crystals Forming on Porcine Articular Cartilage: A New Method for the Estimation of the Postmortem Interval |
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| Authors: | Christopher J Rogers PhD Clara MA ten Broek PhD Barbara Hodson Michael P Whitehead PhD Wera M Schmerer Dr rer nat Raul Sutton PhD |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Chemistry, Glynd?r University, Wrexham, LL11 2ER U.K.;2. Additional information and reprint requests:;3. Christopher J. Rogers, Ph.D.;4. Department of Chemistry;5. Glynd?r University;6. Plas Coch, Mold Road;7. Wrexham LL11 2AW;8. U.K.;9. E‐mail:;10. Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium;11. School of Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, U.K., WV1 1SB;12. School of Biology, Chemistry and Forensic Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, U.K., WV1 1SB |
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| Abstract: | Articular cartilage was examined to determine its decomposition sequence and its potential for assessing the postmortem interval. Scanning electron microscopy of articular cartilage from buried porcine trotters showed the presence of microcrystals on the synovial surface. These orthorhombic pyramidal or “coffin”‐shaped crystals, appeared at 3 weeks (22 days) after interment and disappeared after 6 weeks. The disappearance of these crystals was linked to decompositional changes to the integrity of the synovial joint. The formation and disappearance of these crystals was associated with a pH change at the cartilage surface. Scanning electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive X‐ray (SEM‐EDX) analysis showed that the five main elements contained within these crystals were carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, magnesium, and phosphorous. Such elemental analysis suggested the crystals may be struvite (MgNH4PO46(H2O)). Bacteria cultured from the cartilage synovial surface produced struvite crystals when grown in suitable media and were identified by DNA analysis to be Comamonas sp. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science postmortem interval Comamonas sp struvite cartilage decomposition |
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