Diagnostic value of ions as markers for differentiating antemortem from postmortem wounds

In the present study, the diagnostic value of ions as markers for differentiating antemortem from postmortem wounds was investigated. To accomplish this, skin and muscle samples were taken from antemortem and postmortem wounded cadavers and the contents of ions (Fe, Zn, Mg, Cu, K and Na) were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Our results show that the concentrations of Fe in antemortem wounded skin and muscle were significantly higher as compared with the control skin and muscle and the K/Na ratio in antemortem wounded muscle was reduced significantly compared to control muscle. However, the concentrations of Zn, Mg, Cu in antemortem wounded skin and muscle, and the K/Na ratio in antemortem wounded skin, were not significantly different from their controls. The concentrations of all these ions in postmortem wounded skin and muscles were not significantly different from their controls. It is indicated that the concentrations of Fc in skin and muscle and K/Na ratio in muscle are useful markers for differentiating antemortem from postmortem wounds. However, their routine use in forensic practice needs further investigation, since there are some overlaps of the ionic concentrations between normal and wounded skin and muscle.