Potential definition of the time of death from postmortem autolytic changes in human sweat glands

ABSTRACT

This study demonstrates postmortem autolytic alterations in the morphology of sweat glands at cellular and subcellular levels and identifies parameters which may contribute in determining the time of death. Serial skin samples were obtained from the ventral surface of the arms of 30 corpses at intervals of 3, 6, 9 and 12 hrs after death to be compared with seven antemortem normal skin samples that served as controls. Examination was carried out using light microscopy [for haematoxylin and eosin, PAS stained sections and toluidine blue stained semithin sections] and electron microscopy. Electron microscopy proved to be useful for identifying alterations which were found to be specific for each of the considered chronologic stage. Appearance of chromatin clumping, decrease in secretory granules and glycogen content were evident 3 hrs after death. Increased lipofuscin granules was observed 6 hrs after death. Changes in cell membrane appeared 9 hrs after death, while degenerative changes in the nuclei and nuclear membrane occurred 12 hrs after death