ABSTRACT
To determining the postmortem interval (PMI) through quantitative analysis of the DNA degradation of cell nucleus in human brain and spleen by using image analysis technique (IAT). The brain and spleen tissues from 32 cadavers with known PMI were collected, subjected to cell smear every 1 h within the first 5-36 h after death, stained by Feulgen-Van's staining, Three indices reflecting DNA in brain cells (astrocytes) and splenic lymphocytes, including integral optical density (IOD), average optical density (AOD), average gray (AG) were measured by employing the mage analysis instrument. The results showed that IOD and AOD declined and AG increased with the prolongation of dead time within 5-36 h. A correlation between the PMI and gray parameters (IOD,AOD and AG) was identified and the corresponding regression equation was obtained. The parameters (IOD,AOD and AG) were proved to be effective quantitative indicators for accurate estimation of PMI within 5-36 h after death.
ABSTRACT
To determining the postmortem interval (PMI) through quantitative analysis of the DNA degradation of cell nucleus in human brain and spleen by using image analysis technique (IAT). The brain and spleen tissues from 32 cadavers with known PMI were collected, subjected to cell smear every 1 h within the first 5-36 h after death, stained by Feulgen-Van's staining, Three indices reflecting DNA in brain cells (astrocytes) and splenic lymphocytes, including integral optical density (IOD), average optical density (AOD), average gray (AG) were measured by employing the mage analysis instrument. The results showed that IOD and AOD declined and AG increased with the prolongation of dead time within 5-36 h. A correlation between the PMI and gray parameters (IOD, AOD and AG) was identified and the corresponding regression equation was obtained. The parameters (IOD, AOD and AG) were proved to be effective quantitative indicators for accurate estimation of PMI within 5-36 h after death.
Subject(s)
Cell Nucleus/pathology , DNA Degradation, Necrotic , Forensic Pathology , Liver/pathology , Postmortem Changes , Spleen/pathology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Objective To develop a PCR-based method of detecting plankton 16S rDNA for the i dentification of death by drowning. Methods Fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into three groups: the death by drowning group, the group of submerging after death and the control group. After sacrificing by different ways, the brain, liver, kidney and lung of rats were taken out respectively and DNA were extracted from the tissues of these organs and were amplified subsequently by specific primers selected from the third and fourth variable regions of plankton 16S rDNA. Results The specific amplification products were detected from all 5 samples of lung tissue ( 100% ) , 4 samples from liver and kidney tissues (80% ) , and 3 samples from brain tissue (75% ) in the group of death by drowning. No amplification product was detected in all samples of the control group and the amplification product was detected only in 1 sample of lung (20% ) in the group of submerging after death. Conclusion The PCR-based method of detecting plankton 16S rDNA for the identification of death by drowning is certainly feasible.