NCJ Number
195925
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 47 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2002 Pages: 542-553
Date Published
2002
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study reports on the use of chemical biomarkers in various human organs to estimate postmortem interval information.
Abstract
The authors explain that human decomposition is a complicated process that begins approximately 4 minutes after death. The process is primarily dependant on temperature and moisture and is the result of many complex processes, including enzymatic digestion, bacterial action, and environmental conditions. There are currently very few scientific methods based on chemical measurements that are used to indicate postmortem interval (PMI) information. Mainly, this type of information is gathered from forensic scientists who use their experience and opinion to estimate PMI information. This study represents an effort to obtain precise PMI estimates using various biomarkers in different organs of the body that are associated with early decomposition of human remains. The researchers placed 18 unembalmed, unautopsied cadavers in the University of Tennessee’s Forensic Anthropology Research Center (FARC) over a 4 year period. Tissue samples were collected at various intervals of time until the tissues decomposed to the point of being unrecognizable. Analysis was conducted on biomarkers including amino acids, neurotransmitters, and decompositional by-products of various organs. Distinct pattern of decomposition emerged that proved useful for determining PMI. The authors note that the appearance of glycolic acid is an especially important feature of this method of determining PMI. Two case studies are offered in this article to illustrate the usefulness of gaining PMI information using the methodology presented here. 8 Figures, 5 tables, 14 references