Promising blood-derived biomarkers for estimation of the postmortem interval

Abstract

A linear correlation between blood putrefaction time and biochemical parameter concentrations was obtained. Two mathematical models that may have predictive value for estimation of thepostmorteminterval were developed. The obtained results might be complementary procedures for the methodologies already used.

Comparative study of the neurotoxicological effects of tramadol and tapentadol in SH-SY5Y cells

“…Glucose and lactate intracellular levels were quantified by Prestige 24i automated analyzer (Tokyo Boeki) according to the manufacturer's instructions, using 2 appropriate calibrators, which were diluted to plot a standard curve with 5 points. A quality control was also used (Costa et al 2015).…”

Application of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with chemometrics on postmortem interval estimation based on pericardial fluids

“…Postmortem interval (PMI) evaluation remains a challenge in the forensic community because routine methods rely on subjective evaluation of body signs alone during the early phase (usually within 24 h postmortem), including algor mortis, livor mortis, rigor mortis distribution, and corneal turbidity 1 . In recent years, an increasing number of investigations have focused on postmortem chemical changes in biofluids, especially the vitreous humor and blood 2 , 3 , to identify biomarkers for PMI estimation, since they are readily available at crime scenes or during autopsy. There is ample evidence that multiple components in pericardial fluid (PF), including heart-specific proteins (cardiac troponin and creatine kinase MB), mRNAs, and electrolytes (Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ), may be used to determine specific causes of death and elucidate the underlying mechanisms 4 – 6 .…”

Intra-individual alterations of serum markers routinely used in forensic pathology depending on increasing post-mortem interval

“…Therefore, the results of intra-individual stability presented can only represent the early post-mortem period within two days of death. An influence of temperature on the markers has already been shown before 25 . The bodies examined in this study were stored in a cold storage cell at 4 °C.…”

“…Costa et al . 25 tried to reconstruct the development of 46 different markers (including creatinine, urea, CK and CK-MB) by simulating the exact post-mortem drop in temperature until reaching room temperature and measuring all parameters at 16 defined time points with the aim of establishing a formula to calculate the post-mortem interval. They found an increase in urea and CK and a stabilization of creatinine levels after 24 hours.…”

“…CK is a kinase mainly situated in muscle tissue and plays an important role in cellular energy generation through a process of phosphorylation. The isoenzyme CK-MB exists notably in cardiac myocytes and is therefore a more specific cardiac marker 25 .…”