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Published on: November 29, 2018
Postmortem Sperm Retrieval in Hanging-Induced Mechanical Asphyxia: Probability and Temporal Dynamics
Leena Lokhande1, Raghvendra Kumar Vidua1, Ashwani Tandon2
1Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Aim:
To assess the feasibility of retrieving viable spermatozoa in hanging deaths and their correlation with post-mortem interval (PMI) and sperm quality parameters.
Settings And Design:
A descriptive observational study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, AIIMS Bhopal.
Materials And Methods:
PMSR was performed in 18 medicolegal autopsy cases involving males aged 18-49 years within 24 h of death using an in-house innovated vaso-epididymal wash technique. Sperm motility and viability were assessed using an automated semen quality analyser and the eosin dye exclusion test.
Statistical Analysis Used:
Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation and Chi-square tests.
Results:
Motile sperm were recovered in 44.4% and viable sperm in 50% of cases. Mean motility and viability in positive samples were 14.5% and 29.9%, respectively. Viability stays up to 21.5 h post-mortem, peaking at 72%. No significant correlation was seen between PMI and sperm quality. A strong association between immotile and viable sperm supports a two-step degradation process, with motility loss preceding cellular death.
Conclusion:
Our results confirm the recovery of motile and viable sperm in 50% of hanging-related deaths up to 21.5 h post-mortem (peak 72%, P > 0.05), supporting the feasibility of PMSR. The findings challenge the linear model of time-dependent sperm degradation and emphasise the need for rapid processing and standardised medico-legal and ethical PMSR protocols in India.
Insights
Viable sperm can be retrieved in 50% of hanging deaths up to 21.5 hours post-mortem. This study confirms the feasibility of post-mortem semen retrieval (PMSR) and challenges traditional sperm degradation timelines.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Medicine
- Reproductive Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Post-mortem semen retrieval (PMSR) is crucial in sexual assault cases.
- Understanding sperm viability post-mortem is vital for forensic investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of retrieving viable spermatozoa in hanging deaths.
- To correlate sperm quality with post-mortem interval (PMI) and other parameters.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive observational study was conducted on 18 medicolegal autopsy cases.
- Vaso-epididymal wash technique was used for sperm retrieval within 24 hours of death.
- Sperm motility and viability were assessed using automated semen quality analyser and eosin dye exclusion test.
Main Results:
- Motile sperm recovered in 44.4% and viable sperm in 50% of cases.
- Mean motility and viability in positive samples were 14.5% and 29.9%, respectively.
- Sperm viability persisted up to 21.5 hours post-mortem, with a peak viability of 72%.
Conclusions:
- Post-mortem semen retrieval (PMSR) is feasible in hanging deaths, with viable sperm recoverable up to 21.5 hours.
- Findings challenge linear sperm degradation models, suggesting motility loss precedes cell death.
- Emphasizes the need for rapid processing and standardized medico-legal PMSR protocols in India.
