Estimation of the postmortem interval based on the human decomposition process

Gelderman, H. Tamara; Kruiver, C.A.; Oostra, Roelof‐Jan; Zeegers, Maurice P.; Duijst, Wilma

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2018.12.004

Cited by 30 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Точна оцінка ДНС вимагає оцінки таких параметрів, які постійно змінюються з моменту смерті, але є менш залежними від факторів навколишнього середовища. [1] Крім того, при оцінці якості визначенні ДНС виключно за візуальними змінами трупів та даними щодо місцезнаходження трупів та пори року виявлено слабку міжкласову кореляцію (коефіцієнт кореляції рангу Спірмена = 0,254) між оцінками ДНС у судово-медичних експертів [2].…”

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Features of morphological changes of the uterus after the death prescription

Grygorian

Myroshnychenko

2021

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Background. Assessing the postmortem interval (PMI) is one of the most problematic issues in judicial practice. Objective. To investigate the morphological changes of uterus tissues to determine the PMI-dependent features of postmortem changes development. Methods. A morphological analysis of 40 uterus tissue samples was performed; consisting of two groups: first group – samples from the corpses of women aged 23 to 70 years (n = 34), second group – comparison group – biopsy material from 6 women with uterine prolapse, uterine leiomyoma, from unaffected areas. Results. In the period from 24 to 48 hours after death, there were changes in the form of a slight change in the structure of cellular elements, changes in their color, the presence of light gaps between connective tissue and muscle fibers. In the period from 48 to 72 hours, the destruction of the border between the muscular and serous membranes, blurred contours and ruptures of cells, severe swelling of muscle fibers, wide gaps between muscle fibers, a significant decrease in fibroblastic cells were observed. In addition, there was no endothelium in a significant number of vessels, loss of clarity of fiber bundles, lack of nuclei in a significant number of myocytes. Desquamed endothelial cells and hemolyzed erythrocytes were seen in the openings of most vessels. Conclusion. Histological examination of uterine tissues showed the presence of specific changes during the studied time intervals after death, which can be used to introduce criteria to determine the time since death in practice.

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Section: вступunclassified

Features of morphological changes of the uterus after the death prescription

Grygorian

Myroshnychenko

2021

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“…Furthermore, few studies directly focus on bacterial succession or the temporal change in VOC profiles during decomposition in an indoor environment. An indoor environment is common, if not more common than an outdoor environment for death scenes, and, therefore, warrants further investigation (35). Microbiome response and VOC production can be studied without fluctuating variables that affect decomposition, like temperature, weather, and insect activity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Microbiome and Volatile Organic Compounds Reflect the State of Decomposition in an Indoor Environment

Cappas

Sykes

2022

Preprint

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Because of the variety of factors that can affect the decomposition process, it can be difficult to determine the post-mortem interval (PMI). The process is highly dependent on microbial activity, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a by-product of this activity. Given both have been proposed to assist in PMI determination, a deeper understanding of this relationship is needed. The current study investigates the temporal evolution of the microbiome and VOC profile of a decomposing human analog (swine) in a controlled, indoor environment. Microbial communities and VOCs were sampled at six-time points, up to the active decay phase. Sampling locations included the abdominal area, anus, right ear canal, and right nostril. Bacterial communities were found to significantly change during decomposition (p-value < 0.001), and communities evolved differently based on sampling location. The families Moraxellaceae, Planococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, and Staphylococcaceae drove these community shifts. From random forest analysis, the nostril sampling location was determined to be the best location to predict stage of decomposition. Individual VOCs exhibited large temporal shifts through decomposition stage in contrast to smaller shifts when evaluated based on functional groups. Finally, pairwise linear regression models between abdominal area bacteria and selected VOCs were assessed; Planococcaceae and Tissierellaceae were significantly correlated to indole. Overall, this study provides an exploratory analysis to support the connection between the microbiome, VOCs, and their relationship throughout decomposition.

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“…Using the level of observed decomposition to estimate the PMI is generally considered unreliable as it is complicated by the differential decomposition that results from taphonomic variables [2]. Consequently, forensic specialists estimate the PMI using a combination of their education and experience [11]. Even in forensic entomology, which arguably produces more accurate PMI estimations, the PMI is still reported as a range in what is termed the 'minimum PMI' based on estimates of larval age [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%