[Troponin in forensic medicine]

Area of Science:

• Forensic Pathology
• Biochemistry
• Toxicology

Context:

• Current forensic pathology practices and their reliance on biochemical markers.
• The role of cardiac troponins in diagnosing sudden cardiac death.
• Limitations of existing troponin assays in post-mortem analysis.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the extent to which forensic pathology employs quantitative and qualitative troponin determinations.
• To review existing literature on troponin use in post-mortem investigations.
• To identify areas requiring further research in troponin analysis for forensic cases.

Summary:

• This review examines the application of cardiac troponin T and I measurements in forensic pathology.
• Evidence suggests troponin levels can indicate sudden cardiac death, but post-mortem changes (autolysis, microbial activity, sample matrix) require further investigation.
• The study synthesized findings from PubMed and Polish literature, including citation analysis.

Impact:

• Highlights the potential of troponin testing in forensic investigations of cardiac events.
• Identifies critical factors influencing troponin accuracy in post-mortem samples.
• Guides future research to refine troponin assays for forensic applications, improving accuracy in determining cause of death.