The relationship between hypostasis and gas detected in postmortem computed tomography and the postmortem interval

Area of Science:

• Forensic Radiology
• Postmortem Imaging
• Decomposition Analysis

Background:

• Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) is increasingly used in forensic investigations.
• Assessing the postmortem interval (PMI) is crucial for forensic pathology.
• Gas formation and hypostasis are common postmortem changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between gas in solid organs (heart, aorta) and lung hypostasis on PMCT.
• To evaluate the relationship of these findings with the postmortem interval (PMI).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of PMCT scans from 74 individuals.
• Grading of gas presence in heart, liver, kidneys, and aorta.
• Comparison of gas findings and lung hypostasis/clotting with the PMI.

Main Results:

• Intracardiac gas amount positively correlated with PMI.
• Pulmonary artery clotting showed a significant association with PMI (P=0.015).
• Strong positive correlations found between lung hypostasis and pulmonary artery clotting (r=0.892, P=0.001).

Conclusions:

• Decomposition gas in solid organs (liver, heart) detected by PMCT is associated with PMI, appearing within 48 hours.
• Pulmonary arterial clotting/sedimentation strongly correlates with lung parenchyma hypostasis.
• PMCT aids in PMI determination and forensic assessment.