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Estimation of postmortem interval using the data of insulin level in the cadaver׳s blood
1Post Graduate Department of Pathology, K.G. Medical University, Lucknow, UP, India.
Insights
Insulin levels in cadaveric fluids can estimate the postmortem interval (PMI). Higher insulin levels in cardiac blood correlate with a shorter time since death, aiding forensic investigations.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
Background:
- Accurate estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is crucial in forensic investigations.
- Insulin's postmortem stability and its potential as a biomarker for PMI require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess insulin levels in cadaveric fluids for estimating postmortem interval (PMI).
- To profile postmortem changes in insulin concentration in cardiac blood.
Main Methods:
- Insulin was extracted from the heart's cardiac blood of 22 human cadavers at various postmortem intervals (0-24 hours).
- Immunoanalyzer Cobas e-411 was used to quantify insulin levels.
- Statistical analysis, including correlation coefficients and regression analysis (SPSS v12.0), was performed.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant correlation was found between insulin levels and PMI (p <0.001).
- Insulin levels in cadaveric blood significantly decrease over time postmortem.
- The regression equation [Duration(Y)=22.71-0.93 Insulin level (X)] was established.
Conclusions:
- Cadaveric insulin levels serve as a reliable indicator for estimating the postmortem interval.
- The study provides a quantitative method for PMI estimation based on insulin concentration.
Abstract:
An assessment of levels of Insulin in cadaveric fluids, to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) was carried out. To profile postmortem changes of Insulin, it was extracted at different intervals i.e. (0, 3, 6, 12, 24 h), from the heart of 22 human cadavers. The cases included were the subjects of accidental deaths without any prior history of disease and their exact time of death was known. Immunoanalyzer Cobas e-411 instrument was used to detect the relationship between the amount of Insulin and PMI. Level of Insulin was measured in cardiac blood. Statically, significant correlations between levels of Insulin and PMI were studied and correlation coefficients were calculated. SPSS (version 12.0) was used for statistical analysis. Insulin levels in cadaver blood are correlated significantly with PMI with a p value of <0.001. When insulin level increases by 1 unit the duration decreases by 0.93 units. The least square regression line is: [Duration(Y)=22.71-0.93 Insulin level (X)].
