Analysis of vitreous humour in determining postmortem interval (time since death) – A prospective study

Abstract

Aim: Aim of the study was to find out post-mortem interval (time since death) on 100 cases which were brought for medico-legal autopsy at Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Madras Medical College, Chennai by analyzing changes in biochemical markers in vitreous humour of both eyes. Materials and Methods: Two samples of vitreous humour were taken from both eyes, first sample immediately after the body was received in the mortuary and second sample at the time of starting postmortem examination. The samples were sent to the Department of Biochemistry for analyzing sodium and potassium concentration. Observations: After the statistical analysis it was observed that p0.05 which concludes there is no significant difference. Conclusion: It was concluded that there was a linear correlation between time since death and potassium levels in vitreous samples from both sides at different time intervals. There is no significant difference in values of samples from both sides. The study also concludes that sodium values are not statistically significant and shows negative correlation with time since death. Keywords: Autopsy potassium time since death vitreous humour.