Estimation of postmortem interval using histological and oxidative biomarkers in human bone marrow

Area of Science:

• Forensic Medicine
• Biochemistry
• Histopathology

Background:

• Accurate postmortem interval (PMI) estimation is vital for forensic investigations.
• Bone marrow (BM) offers resistance to degradation, making it a potential biomarker for PMI.
• Antioxidant enzymes in BM may provide insights into postmortem changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To correlate bone marrow antioxidant enzyme levels with PMI using ELISA.
• To analyze histological changes in human bone marrow over time since death.
• To evaluate the combined utility of biochemical and histological markers for PMI estimation.

Main Methods:

• Bone marrow samples were collected from 20 forensic autopsy cadavers.
• Reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GRX) levels were measured using ELISA.
• Histopathological examination of bone marrow morphology was performed.

Main Results:

• A significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme levels (GSH, GPX, GRX) was observed with increasing PMI.
• Gradual, progressive, and regular histological changes in bone marrow morphology were noted from 6 to over 18 hours postmortem.
• At 18 hours PMI, bone marrow showed loss of cellular details, absence of fat cells, and necrosis.

Conclusions:

• Both ELISA-based estimation of bone marrow antioxidant enzyme levels and histological examination of bone marrow structure are valuable for accurate PMI determination.
• The combined analysis of biochemical and histological markers offers a robust approach to estimating PMI.
• Bone marrow serves as a reliable indicator for postmortem interval assessment in forensic medicine.