Consistency of Postmortem Interval Estimations of Physicians Using Only Postmortem Changes of Putrefied Dead Bodies

Abstract

The postmortem interval is estimated based on physical, biochemical, and morphologic changes in dead bodies, scene investigation findings, and judicial investigation findings. Many factors affect the onset and the course of the postmortem changes. There is no established method for accurate estimation of the postmortem interval, especially with regard to putrefied dead bodies. Aiming to determine the consistency and the variation of postmortem interval estimations in cases with various putrefaction degrees by forensic medicine assistants and specialists from different centers, a prospective study was undertaken. A form containing data about the time, environment, and geographical location where the cases were found, along with their postmortem changes was mailed to 110 forensic medicine assistants and specialists from different centers, who were also asked to note their postmortem interval estimations. About half of the forms were returned. Those postmortem interval estimations made based on the information included in the forms, showed great variability between the participants, and in only 6 cases a consistency exceeding 50% was found between the participants and the autopsy teams. It is not possible to estimate the postmortem interval in a standard way by using only the postmortem changes of putrefied bodies. Therefore, especially in the cases involving putrefied bodies, in addition to the postmortem changes, factors such as environmental conditions, the scene, and judicial investigation findings should be taken into consideration.

Forensic study of skin postmortem changes as a supplementary test to determine postmortem interval (first 78 hours)

“…21 histological criteria were analyzed by Fisher test; statistical significance (p <0.001) with a reliability of 94.61% was achieved in 15 of the 21 parameters studied. These parameters were statistically significant: 1,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,15,16,17,19,20, and 21, which correspond to presence of corneal and granular cell layers, topography of hydropic degeneration of the spinous layer, orientation of the collagen fibers, and percentage of: Early and advanced hydropic degeneration of spinous cells, loss of morphology of basal layer, melanocyte degeneration, hyalinization of the collagen fibers, hydropic degeneration of sweat glands, detachment and necrosis of the sebaceous gland, necrosis of follicles, loss of adipocyte morphology, and conservation of hypodermic lobular structure. Figure 1 shows the progression of post-mortem changes in the epidermis with progressive loss of granular cell layer (gcl), followed by hydropic degeneration of spinous cell layer (scl), and loss of morphology of basal layer (bl).…”

“…Although the macroscopic evaluation of skin is very important to determine the post-mortem interval, there are few studies on the post-mortem histological changes [1,2]. The post-mortem skin histological study in the first 72 hours may give information about an internal disease, the events that occurred at the time of death or the post-mortem environment [3,4].…”

Metabolic profiling of femoral muscle from rats at different periods of time after death

“…A PMI estimation using only postmortem morphological changes by forensic pathologists leads to great deviation, particularly for a prolonged postmortem process [ 25 ]. Although judicial doctors can also utilize the temperature of the dead body to make judgments [ 26 ], the disadvantage is the similarity of the ambient temperature to the body temperature, which makes an accurate determination of PMI (generally within 24 h) quite difficult.…”

First contribution of mites (Acari) to the forensic analysis of hanged corpses: A case study from Spain

“…Fluctuating air temperatures, variations in wind and evaporation, as well as the unexpected occurrence of flying visitors impact the remains due to the vertical or hanging position. Particular patterns of decomposition are observed; when the body is hanged from the neck, while tissues in the head and upper trunk dry out, the feet will remain wet and have been found in most cases in active decay [13]. Comparison of patterns of decomposition between hanged and ground carcasses indicate a substantial reduction of biomass removal in the former as the rate of decomposition is also delayed.…”