Introduction: This paper aims to investigate and substantiate the information capabilities of the objective method of azimuthal-invariant polarization Müller-matrix microscopy of histological sections of biological tissues (BT) in the diagnosis of time since death (TSD) in alcohol and monoxide poisoning. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of the azimuthal-invariant Muller-matrix polarimetry technique of the polycrystalline constituent of BT and human body fluids in determining the TSD in cases of alcohol and carbon monoxide poisoning. Results: A comprehensive experimental study of the diagnostic efficiency of the azimuthal-invariant Muller-matrix polarimetric microscopy of the polycrystalline component of histological sections of the brain, myocardium, adrenal glands, liver, and polycrystalline blood films from dead persons for the diagnosis of TSD in cases of alcohol and carbon monoxide poisoning.A sensitivity range of 24 hours was determined using the method of the azimuthal-invariant Muller-matrix polarimetric microscopy of the polycrystalline component of histological sections of the myocardium for the diagnosis of TSD in cases of alcohol and carbon monoxide poisoning. Conclusion: The results showed the effectiveness of the studied methodology and the prospect of further research in this direction.

Introduction: Fatal intoxications with alcohol and carbon monoxide are the most common causes of poisoning that occur in forensic medical practice. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of these intoxications is extremely important. To solve this problem, we propose the use of the method of azimuthal-invariant polarization Mueller-matrix microscopy of histological sections of biological tissues (BT). Objectives: The purpose of the study was to establish statistically significant criteria for differentiation of the cause of death in case of alcohol poisoning (AP) and carbon monoxide poisoning (CMP) by using azimuthal-invariant polarization Mueller-matrix microscopy of polycrystalline fractions of histological sections of organs and blood films of the human body. Results: A number of characteristic features have been identified that have not been previously described and allow to objectively differentiate the cause of death in the case of AP and CMP, namely Ek – 0.95±0.045 and 1.81±0.092 in the study of histological sections of the myocardium;  Ek – 0,19±0,011 and 1,11±0,094 – polycrystalline blood films. Analysis of the obtained data revealed a good level of accuracy in the study of histological sections of the myocardium (As 85%) and polycrystalline blood films (As 88%). Conclusion: Thus, developed and tested method of azimuthal-invariant polarization Mueller-matrix microscopy allows to differentiate the cause of death in cases of AP and CMP.