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Published on: July 9, 2016
[Ophthalmotonus examination in children (4-17 years) to determine the time of death]
D N Uslontsev1,2, Z Yu Sokolova3,4
1D.I. Mastbaum Bureau of Forensic Medicine, Ryazan, Russia.
Insights
This study analyzed intraocular pressure (IOP) in children. Postmortem IOP measurements in children can help determine the time of death, offering a reliable postmortem interval estimate.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) is a critical physiological parameter.
- Accurate determination of the postmortem interval is crucial in forensic investigations.
- Limited data exists on postmortem IOP in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze intravital and postmortem intraocular pressure (IOP) in children aged 4-17 years.
- To establish the relationship between postmortem IOP and time since death in children.
- To evaluate the utility of postmortem IOP as a postmortem interval indicator in pediatric cases.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of medical records for 991 children to determine intravital IOP.
- Collection and analysis of 28,440 postmortem IOP measurements from 158 deceased children (aged 4-17) over 12 hours postmortem.
- Development of a mathematical model to correlate postmortem IOP with time of death.
Main Results:
- Mean intravital IOP in children aged 4-17 years was 19±3 mm Hg (95% confidence).
- A linear relationship was observed between postmortem IOP values and time since death in children.
- Postmortem IOP demonstrated a predictive capability for time of death with >95% probability, with a minimum range of 2 hours.
Conclusions:
- Postmortem intraocular pressure is a viable additional criterion for estimating the postmortem interval in children.
- The established linear correlation allows for mathematical modeling to predict the time of death.
- This method provides a reliable postmortem interval estimation with a confidence level of at least 95%.
Abstract:
This article presents data on the analysis of intravital and postmortem intraocular pressure (IOP) values in children aged 4 to 17 years. Intravital ophthalmotonus values were analyzed according to medical records of 991 children; the mean value for the age of 4-17 years was determined as 19±3 mm Hg with a confidence level of more than 95%. Postmortem IOP values were studied in 158 deceased subjects (28.440 measures) with follow-up from 1 to 12 h after death. The relationship between postmortem IOP values and time in children aged 4 to 17 years is linear, allowing to calculation the time of death by mathematical modeling and determining the predicted time of death range with a probability of more than 95%. Postmortem IOP values in the examination of deceased children aged 4 to 17 years can be used as an additional criterion in determining the time of death as a postmortem interval with a confidence not less than 95% with the minimum range not less than 2 hours.
