Linearization of the relationship between postmortem plasma chloride concentration and postmortem interval in rats |
| |
| Authors: | D Querido |
| |
| Affiliation: | Department of Physiology, University of Cape Town Medical School, Observatory, Republic of South Africa. |
| |
| Abstract: | A potentiometric titration procedure was employed for measurement of plasma chloride concentrations during the 0-96 h postmortem period in rats. The data revealed antemortem absolute values and postmortem rate of decrease in plasma chloride concentration (PCl) which were almost identical to those in dogs and in man. Expression of the data in the form of a double logarithmic plot of PCl versus postmortem interval (PMI) yielded a linear relationship of high correlation (r = -0.97; P less than 0.001). Attention is drawn to the possibility of utilizing postmortem rate of change in plasma chloride concentration as a means of estimating time elapsed since death. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
