[Study on relationship between changes of geometry parameters in human spleen nuclei and the postmortem interval]

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Cellular Biology
• Digital Pathology

Context:

• Accurate estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is crucial in forensic investigations.
• Traditional methods for PMI estimation have limitations, necessitating novel approaches.
• Spleen nuclei exhibit morphological changes after death that may correlate with time elapsed.

Purpose:

• To investigate the utility of computer image-analyze technique (CIAT) for assessing changes in human spleen nuclei geometry.
• To identify reliable geometric parameters for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI).
• To establish a new experimental method for PMI determination using spleen nuclei morphology.

Summary:

• Five geometric parameters (Area, Mean Diameter, Average Diameter, Perimeter, Index of Density) of human spleen nuclei were measured using CIAT in 31 cadavers within 36 hours postmortem.
• While Area, Mean Diameter, Average Diameter, and Perimeter showed no correlation with PMI, the Index of Density (ID) demonstrated a consistent increase over time.
• A strong positive correlation (r=0.983) was found between ID and PMI, allowing for the calculation of a linear regression equation for estimation.

Impact:

• The Index of Density (ID) of human spleen nuclei is identified as a sensitive and reliable indicator for estimating PMI within the first 36 hours.
• This study validates CIAT as a viable method for quantitative analysis in forensic pathology.
• The developed regression model provides a novel, objective tool for forensic practitioners to improve the accuracy of PMI determination.