Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2025
10:21
In Vivo Imaging Systems IVIS Detection of a Neuro-Invasive Encephalitic Virus
Published on: December 2, 2012
20.9K
Post-mortem COVID-19 Positive Testing: Institute of Forensic Sciences Experience
Lyvia Alaida Alvarez-Pagan1, Stephany Suarez-Ayuso1, María Socorro Conte-Miller1
1Medicolegal Investigation Division, Institute of Forensic Sciences of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal
|December 14, 2022
Summary
Some deceased individuals tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or COVID-19, for up to 49 days postmortem. Further research is needed to understand viral load and infectious periods in postmortem cases.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Virology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 presented unique challenges for forensic science.
- Understanding the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in postmortem individuals is crucial for public health and forensic investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the experience of the Institute of Forensic Sciences of Puerto Rico in managing postmortem SARS-CoV-2 cases.
- To investigate the duration of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in deceased individuals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the in vitro ID NOW COVID-19 assay, an isothermal method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
- Collected demographic data, comorbidity information, and cause/manner of death for 612 subjects.
- Analyzed postmortem samples for SARS-CoV-2 presence.
Main Results:
- Out of 612 subjects, 41 (6.7%) tested positive for COVID-19 postmortem.
- 14 (34.1%) of positive cases remained positive for over 7 days postmortem, with some positive up to 49 days.
- Hypertension, obesity, and mental health conditions were the most prevalent comorbidities among positive cases.
Conclusions:
- Postmortem COVID-19 testing revealed prolonged viral positivity in some deceased individuals.
- No direct correlation was found between the cause of death and persistent COVID-19 positivity.
- Recommended further studies on viral load and infectious phase duration in postmortem samples.
