Analysis of Changes in Electrolytes Level in Serum After Death and Its Correlation With Postmortem Interval

Area of Science:

• Forensic Pathology
• Thanatochemistry
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Accurate estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) is crucial in forensic pathology.
• Conventional methods for PMI estimation rely on subjective postmortem changes, leading to potential errors.
• Thanatochemistry offers a more objective approach to determining time since death.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze changes in serum electrolyte levels postmortem.
• To establish the correlation between electrolyte concentrations and postmortem interval.
• To derive regression formulas for estimating PMI based on electrolyte levels.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples were collected during medicolegal autopsies.
• Serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate were measured.
• Log-transformed regression analysis was used to correlate electrolyte levels with time since death.

Main Results:

• Serum sodium concentration showed a negative correlation with time since death.
• Serum potassium, calcium, and phosphate concentrations exhibited a positive correlation with time since death.
• No statistically significant differences in electrolyte concentrations were found between sexes or age groups.

Conclusions:

• Serum electrolyte concentrations, especially sodium, potassium, and phosphate, can be utilized to estimate postmortem interval.
• Electrolyte levels are reliable indicators for PMI estimation within 48 hours postmortem.
• This thanatochemical approach provides a more objective method for PMI determination in forensic investigations.