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Loss of Nuclear Basophilic Staining as a Postmortem Interval Marker
Samah F Alabbasi1, Ariel C Viramontes2, Francisco J Diaz3
1From the Department of Forensic Sciences, George Washington University.
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|December 22, 2021
Summary
Loss of basophilia (LOB) is a reliable postmortem interval (PMI) marker. Complete LOB in liver and heart tissues occurs within 1-2 days in unrefrigerated cases, aiding decomposition studies.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Autolysis Research
Background:
- Loss of basophilia (LOB) is an objective marker for estimating postmortem interval (PMI).
- Previous studies indicated a correlation between LOB and PMI in stillborn fetuses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between LOB and PMI in autopsy cases.
- To determine the reliability of LOB as a postmortem interval marker.
Main Methods:
- Scoring LOB in various tissues from 65 autopsy cases using H&E-stained slides.
- Assessing PMI correlation with LOB scores via scatter plots.
- Evaluating decomposition using a modified total body score.
Main Results:
- LOB correlated significantly with PMI in both total and unrefrigerated intervals.
- Partial basophilic staining persisted up to 26 hours postmortem.
- Complete LOB was observed as early as 36 hours in the liver and 60 hours in the heart.
- LOB correlated with decomposition scores and varied by tissue.
- Refrigeration appeared to halt the autolytic process causing LOB.
Conclusions:
- Complete loss of basophilia is expected within 1-2 days postmortem in unrefrigerated liver and heart tissues due to autolysis.
- LOB is a valuable indicator for estimating postmortem interval, particularly in cases without refrigeration.
