[The determination of stomach contents left on the material objects and in the environment]

The objective of the present experimental study was to develop the qualitatively new method for the determination of stomach contents left on the material objects and in the environment with special reference to the cases of aspiration asphyxia. We proposed the original approach for the determination of the origin of the traces of stomach contents based on the detection of pepsin, an enzyme that digests in the acidic milieu protein substances, such as gelatin (hydrolyzed collagen), a component of the emulsion layer of X-ray and photographic films. Samples of the stomach contents were taken from a corpse and placed on the surface of various materials that did not absorb moisture or repulsed it. In addition, materials undergoing putrefactive decomposition were investigated. Moreover, stains left by the cadaveric lung sections from the subjects who allegedly died from aspiration asphyxia on the emulsion layers were studied. A specially developed method was employed to detect pepsin, the main enzyme of the gastric juice. The majority of the studied samples including the control ones exhibited pepsin activity. The results of the study suggest the possibility of application of the proposed method for the detection of stomach contents on the environmental objects provided the material being studied avoided putrefactive modification.